Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield powered his team to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, March 15, 2025, scoring his team-leading 33rd goal and providing one assist. His performance helped the Canadiens maintain their position just outside of playoff contention. The victory followed a narrow 5-4 overtime loss against Seattle just days earlier, exemplifying the resilience of the team as they prepare for the homestretch of the season.
Patrik Laine kicked off the scoring with his 16th goal of the season, netting a power-play goal just 5:15 minutes after puck drop. Laine's shot zipped over Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky's left shoulder, marking his 13th goal with the man advantage this season.
Despite some initial promise, the Canadiens had a goal by Alex Newhook called back due to goalie interference after the Panthers challenged the play. Montreal maintained pressure, and Caufield capitalized at 15:56 of the first period, sneaking a shot past Bobrovsky after receiving the puck from teammate Juraj Slafkovsky.
Florida's Mackie Samoskevich managed to tie the game during the second period, but the Canadiens regained control just before the midway point of the third. Christian Dvorak, scoring his 100th career goal, deflected David Savard's shot past Bobrovsky at 8:11, securing the 3-1 lead for Montreal.
The Canadiens worked hard throughout the game, with Sam Montembeault making 21 key saves, including a stunning glove save on Carter Verhaeghe during late-game pressure from the Panthers. Montembeault's performance did not go unnoticed, as he played a pivotal role during Florida's last chance on the power play. His stellar positioning and control of rebounds effectively quelled the Panthers’ efforts to stage a comeback, preserving the lead late.
Despite the loss, the Panthers, defending Stanley Cup champions, have been battling injury challenges. Key players Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) and Brad Marchand (upper body) remained sidelined, alongside defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who is currently suspended.
The matchup brought unique excitement for the Canadiens fans, who cheered wildly during moments of triumph, especially after Dvorak's goal when the crowd began chanting “Olé, Olé, Olé,” adding to the electric atmosphere. The fans collectively celebrated the Canadiens' continued push for positioning within the playoffs, currently sitting with 71 points, just one point shy of the New York Rangers, who claimed the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot.
Lane Hutson, the young defenseman, made headlines as he became the fourth-fastest defenseman to record 50 NHL assists, accomplishing the feat within just 68 games—placing him among illustrious company. Hutson is the second-fastest player to achieve this milestone in Canadiens history.
Looking forward, the Panthers will attempt to bounce back against the New York Islanders on Sunday, March 16, 2025, with hopes of regaining momentum. Meanwhile, the Canadiens will host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Both teams are eager to secure valuable points as the end of the season draws near.
Montreal’s victory not only showcased their talent but also demonstrated their determination as they approach the final stretch of the season. With key players like Caufield, Laine, and Dvorak stepping up recently, the Canadiens seem poised to make their playoff push impactful.
Overall, this win over Florida reaffirms the Canadiens' competitive spirit and highlights their ability to push through challenges as they aim for playoff contention.