Thrilling Overtime Victory for the Canadiens
On a thrilling night in Sunrise, Florida, the Montreal Canadiens triumphed over the Florida Panthers with a nail-biting 3-2 victory, secured in overtime. Montreal’s Nick Suzuki emerged as the hero, scoring during a power play just 3:24 into the extra period after the Canadiens overcame a two-goal deficit in the final moments of regular play. This exciting finish marked a significant comeback, with Suzuki also netting another goal to level the game with just 1:22 left on the clock, capping off a dramatic game on December 30, 2025.
Game Highlights
The Canadiens had been trailing 2-0 after Florida’s Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart found the net in the third period, marking a stark contrast to the first two periods that saw no goals scored – a rarity in the NHL this season. This was only the 11th scoreless game after two periods in the league this year, and notably, it was the first time in over a decade that a meeting between Florida and Montreal ended without a score after 40 minutes.
Montreal’s Cole Caufield also contributed to the late-game surge, scoring a quick reply just 32 seconds after Reinhart’s goal, which breathed new life into the Canadiens and set the stage for Suzuki’s equalizer.
Decisive Overtime Moment
Adding a layer of drama, Marchand, who was celebrated in a pregame ceremony for reaching 1,000 career points, found himself penalized for roughing just minutes into overtime, granting Montreal a crucial 4-on-3 power play opportunity that they capitalized on to seal the victory.
Looking Ahead
This match concluded 2025 for both teams. The Canadiens are now enjoying a commendable run with a record of 6-1-3 in their last 10 outings, with their 21 wins by New Year’s Day marking their best start since the 2018-2019 season. Meanwhile, the Panthers are notable for their consistency, as this match represented their 106th game of the year, maintaining their streak of exceeding 100 games for the third consecutive season.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens will next face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, while the Panthers prepare to host the New York Rangers for the Winter Classic in Miami on Friday.
