Montreal Canadiens fans must be thinking, if only the Habs played the Florida Panthers every game. Now 3-0 this season against the Stanley Cup champions following a 4-2 road victory on Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Habs snapped a five-game losing streak to retake the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
In a thrilling game held in Sunrise, Florida, both Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson led the way offensively for the Canadiens. Each had three points, with Suzuki scoring the game-winning goal just over two minutes into the third period to break a 2-2 tie. On the play, Suzuki had first found Juraj Slafkovsky in the slot, but the Slovak couldn’t find the handle. The puck travelled all the way to the boards, where Hutson recovered and quickly found Suzuki at the side of the net for the one-time goal that beat Panthers starter Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 19 saves on 21 shots in the game.
Slafkovsky, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, also netted an assist on the play, but more notably had scored to make it 2-1 midway through the second, deflecting the puck in off Panthers defenseman Seth Jones on the power play. Jones redeemed himself five minutes later when he stepped into an Aleksander Barkov pass with a one-time shot from the point that beat Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault, who made 24 saves on 26 shots.
Barkov also tallied an assist earlier in the game when Sam Reinhart tied the score 1-1 in the first. The Panthers captain recovered a puck that defenseman Alexandre Carrier had mishandled behind the net and quickly found Reinhart. Canadiens forward Patrik Laine had opened the scoring just a minute and change earlier from his usual spot on the power play in the faceoff circle, Hutson and Suzuki getting the assists similar to on Slafkovsky’s goal. Brendan Gallagher closed the scoring with an empty-net goal late in the third period.
The win brings a positive, yet merciful end to the Canadiens’ four-game road trip, which had consisted of a blowout defeat to the St. Louis Blues as well as two additional regulation losses to the struggling Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. In those previous games, head coach Martin St. Louis curiously opted to play seven defensemen and 11 forwards in Kaiden Guhle’s return to action. St. Louis iced a more traditional lineup on Sunday, going with 12 forwards and six defensemen, sitting Arber Xhekaj, while up front Michael Pezzetta drew in, albeit with a game-low 5:43 in ice time.
The now 34-20-9 Canadiens leapfrogged the idle New York Rangers to retake the second wild-card spot. Both teams have 77 points, but the Habs get the edge in the standings by virtue of having played one less game. Habs fans get their hypothetical wish when they make up the one-game difference on Tuesday, April 1, when they face the 44-26-3 Panthers again in the back half of a home-and-home series.
In terms of historical context, the Canadiens have shown resilience throughout this season, especially in their matchups against the Panthers. The Panthers entered the game with notable absences, including Dmitry Kulikov, who is injured, and Aaron Ekblad, who is suspended. Additionally, Matthew Tkachuk remains out, which has hindered Florida's offensive capabilities. However, the Panthers did have Brad Marchand in the lineup, who had been a bright spot for them this season despite being on a struggling Boston Bruins team.
Marchand had 21 goals this season and had a hand in Florida’s overtime winner in his debut on March 28, 2025. His presence on the ice was expected to provide a boost for the Panthers, especially as he faced the Canadiens, a team he has historically performed well against. Despite the Panthers' injuries, they managed to keep the game competitive, showcasing the depth and talent of their roster.
As the game progressed, the tension mounted, with both teams exchanging scoring opportunities and defensive stands. The Canadiens needed this victory to maintain their playoff positioning, and they delivered with a strong performance, especially in the latter half of the game.
Looking ahead, both teams will meet again on April 1, 2025, for a rematch that promises to be just as intense. The Canadiens will aim to build on their momentum from this victory, while the Panthers will seek to rebound and regain their footing in the playoff race. With the stakes high and the rivalry strong, fans can expect another thrilling matchup.
In conclusion, the Canadiens have proven their mettle against the Panthers this season, and with their playoff hopes alive, they’ll be looking to carry this momentum into their next game. The excitement surrounding this matchup continues to grow, and both teams will be eager to secure points as the regular season winds down.
