MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens pulled off another thrilling win, edging the San Jose Sharks 4-3 during overtime on February 27, 2025. With this victory, the Canadiens marked their third consecutive win since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, as their captain Nick Suzuki and star forward Cole Caufield led the way on the ice.
Nick Suzuki had an impactful night, scoring twice during the first period and providing one of the assists needed for his team’s ultimate victory. His first-period contributions have historical significance as they marked his first career goals against San Jose. Suzuki opened the scoring midway through the first period with a remarkable one-timer set up by Caufield, bringing the score to 1-1. Not long after, he struck again, netting the equalizer with only seconds left before the first intermission, thanks to Lane Hutson’s smart pass.
The Sharks proved to be tough opponents, demonstrating resilience as they took leads on two separate occasions throughout the contest. Will Smith, Nico Sturm, and Fabian Zetterlund each scored for San Jose, but their efforts fell just shy of avoiding yet another loss, marking their seventh straight defeat.
“Suzuki’s first-period goals were his first career goals against San Jose,” reported the Associated Press, underscoring the captain’s timely contributions. This win was also notable for the way the team managed to respond to adversity, facing deficits yet rebounding with determination.
One of the standout moments came at 3:21 of overtime when Cole Caufield delivered the winning goal. After crafting space around Sharks’ defender Macklin Celebrini, Caufield launched a stunning shot past Alexandar Georgiev. This remarkable play showcased not only Caufield’s skill but also solidified his lead as the team’s top scorer of the season, with 28 goals to his name.
"Caufield completed a beautiful pass to Suzuki on the team’s first goal before completing a play...with the overtime deke and roof job to end the game,” described HabsWorld, encapsulating the essence of Caufield's decisive performance as he continuously finds ways to deliver when it matters most.
Montreal's goalie Samuel Montembeault stood tall during the game, stopping 22 shots and earning his third consecutive win after the break. His presence was key, especially during the early struggles of the Canadiens, as they managed to maintain composure and reestablish control as the match progressed.
Despite facing several challenges, including miscues and needing to play catch-up, the Canadiens managed to wrap up the game with the advantage on shots (33 to 26). They successfully kept the Sharks from scoring on the power play, demonstrating discipline and strategic execution. The Canadiens ended with no power-play goals, going 0-for-2, but their domination at even strength secured their victory.
This result pushed the Canadiens to a record of 28 wins, 26 losses, and 5 overtime losses this season, marking their return to form after recent struggles. With this bounce-back performance, Montreal sets its sight on upcoming challenges against the Buffalo Sabres and others.
Looking forward, the Sharks will need to rethink their approach after their disappointing run, as they seek to reclaim their footing against the Ottawa Senators next. The Canadiens, buoyed by their current momentum, are demonstrating their potential to be serious contenders this season. Their victory over the Sharks marks not only another step forward but also establishes the young core’s capability to perform under pressure.
For now, the Canadiens and their fans can celebrate yet another facility full of excitement as they continue to ride this three-game winning streak.