Brandon Montour led the Seattle Kraken to a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens on March 12, 2025, at Climate Pledge Arena. The game showcased dramatic swings and individual brilliance, culminating in Montour scoring the game-winner just four seconds after the start of the extra period.
Montour's performance was instrumental, as he not only netted two goals but also provided two assists. This marked another impressive outing for the defenseman, who previously scored his first-ever hat trick against the Canadiens last October. His quick wrist shot from the right wing after winning the opening faceoff of overtime sealed the Kraken's victory.
"It was a really good first period, and they get the power-play goal, and they get the 4-on-4 goal, kind of special parts of the game, and then get up in the game," noted Kraken coach Dan Bylsma, praising his team's resilience. The Kraken had struggled earlier but took charge as the game progressed, particularly with their comeback efforts.
The Kraken opened the scoring at 4:54 of the first period with Montour’s wrist shot, and they quickly built on this lead with another goal from Eeli Tolvanen late in the second period. The Canadiens, who were previously 6-1-1 over their last eight games, faced adversity when they found themselves down 2-0.
Under pressure, Montreal responded vigorously. Patrik Laine, returning from illness, ignited the offense with his 15th goal of the season during the second period. He connected well with Alex Newhook and Juraj Slafkovsky, who netted two goals himself, showcasing the Canadiens’ talent. Laine's contribution included both scoring and assisting on Newhook's goal, demonstrating his scoring prowess even after missing the previous two games.
"It’s easy work doing the score. It’s almost an empty netter," said Jani Nyman after scoring his first NHL goal during the third period. Nyman’s goal came at 10:53 of the final frame, making the score 4-3, reigniting the Kraken’s hopes as they faced a deficit.
The atmosphere intensified as Matty Beniers tied the game at 17:48 with another goal, leading to the gripping overtime moment. After both teams exchanged multiple opportunities and the Kraken's struggles earlier pale against their fierce comeback down the stretch, Montour’s attempt to secure the win proved decisive.
Laine, reflecting on the game, commented on the need for consistency within the Canadiens, especially as they fell short of tying for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card playoff spot. Meanwhile, Montour’s decisive overtime performance has been commended as exemplary of how the Kraken has played this season.
Despite leading at various points during the game, the Canadiens allowed too many power-play opportunities, and their lack of discipline showed with penalties by Arber Xhekaj and David Savard eventually leading to Seattle capitalizing two times on the man advantage.
Both coaches acknowledged the high-stakes nature of the matchup, which not only tested the skills of their players but also showcased the potential for the teams as they aim for playoff positions. Bylsma emphasized Montour’s efficient play, noting, "Monty’s kind of one of the spearheads for how we want to play," characterizing his performance as pivotal for the Kraken’s identity.
The Kraken are now gearing up for their next games with momentum on their side, operating under the confidence bred from this thrilling win. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have to regroup quickly. They face off against the Panthers on Saturday, March 15, 2025, pushing forward with hopes of solidifying their playoff chances as well.
With this matchup, fans were reminded of the ups and downs of hockey, celebrating the individual achievements such as Montour’s 15 goals, which set a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in one season, and the heartfelt moments of young players like Nyman displaying raw potential at the NHL level.
Overall, it was more than just another game; it was another chapter written in the season’s narrative as both teams grow and compete at their highest level.