Montreal Canadiens ousted from NHL playoffs following a 4-1 defeat by Capitals in Game 5.
The 2025 NHL campaign for the Montreal Canadiens was a rollercoaster ride filled with key moments that fueled their unexpected playoff run.
Leadership at the forefront
Montreal's captain, Nick Suzuki, stood tall, orchestrating crucial games. A prime example was his overtime winner against Florida, scored with a mere 8.4 seconds left on the clock in regulation, and another in double overtime. This heroic feat triggered a wave of momentum that boosted the Canadiens' playoff aspirations [5].
The young guns didn't fall behind. Lane Hutson, Calder Trophy contender, broke franchise records for a rookie defenseman, totaling an impressive 57 assists, surpassing the previous record set by Chris Chelios [5].
Clinching the playoffs
Kaiden Guhle's two-goal performance propelled Montreal to an emphatic victory against Carolina on April 16, sealing the final playoff spot [2]. This was followed by a minor setback, a shootout loss to Chicago, where Ivan Demidov showcased his promising potential, netting a goal and an assist on debut, despite the setback [3][4].
Depth and clutch performances
Kirby Dach displayed his flashy skills in transition plays, while Juraj Slafkovsky consistently caused havoc near the net with his physical presence. Cole Caufield's exceptional passing vision created numerous multi-pass sequence goals [1].
In goal, Samuel Montembeault made several critical saves, particularly against Carolina, preserving slim leads during the playoff chase [2].
The mix of youthful brilliance (Hutson), veteran guidance (Suzuki), and clutch goaltending (Montembeault) resulted in an inspiring turnaround, securing Montreal's post-season ticket. More playoff details await, upcoming matches to be announced.
This report by The Canadian Press is a summary of the events that shaped the Montreal Canadiens' 2025 NHL season, available in its entirety elsewhere
- Montreal Canadiens' captain Nick Suzuki, with his leadership and clutch performances, scored overtime winners against Florida in both regular time and double overtime, starting a momentum shift that aided their playoff run in the 2025 NHL season.
- Defensive prodigy Lane Hutson, a Calder Trophy contender, broke the franchise record for most assists by a rookie defenseman, surpassing Chris Chelios' record, positioned the Canadiens for a strong finish.
- Kaiden Guhle's decisive two-goal game against Carolina on April 16 sealed the final playoff spot for the Canadiens, setting the stage for an anticipated playoff appearance in the 2025 NHL season.
- The success of the Canadiens in the 2025 NHL season was a result of a balanced team effort, including the flashy transition plays of Kirby Dach, the physical presence of Juraj Slafkovsky near the net, and Cole Caufield's exceptional passing vision, as well as Samuel Montembeault's clutch goalkeeping performances.
