Canadiens Stun Panthers in Their Best Game of the Season
What a game! If you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, Saturday night was something special. The Habs welcomed the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers to the Bell Centre for the first of three crucial matchups over the next few weeks. Even though the Panthers were missing key players like Aaron Ekblad, Matthew Tkachuk, and their newest acquisition, Brad Marchand, they still came in as a formidable opponent. But guess what? The Canadiens didn’t just survive—they thrived.
From the very first puck drop, the energy was different. Compared to their sluggish start against Seattle earlier in the week, Montreal came out flying. Jakub Dobes didn’t have to stand on his head in the first period this time because his teammates were all-in, skating hard and fighting for every puck. Turnovers? Barely any. Smart plays? Plenty. The chemistry was clicking, and you could tell this team had learned from past mistakes.
One of the biggest improvements was how the Habs attacked as a five-man unit. Whether it was Mike Matheson, Lane Hutson, or Arber Xhekaj, the defensemen were jumping into the play more, creating chances and making life difficult for Florida. This approach paid off in a big way, especially on Christian Dvorak’s milestone 100th career goal, a beauty that came off a David Savard shot deflection.
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And let’s talk about Patrik Laine. Some people have questioned his role on this team, but his recent performances have silenced the doubters. For the second straight game, he delivered in a big moment with a clutch power-play goal, setting the tone early. Say what you want about his defensive play, but when the guy is scoring and giving his all, he’s an asset the Canadiens need. Even Martin St-Louis acknowledged it, praising his efforts and rewarding him with well-earned minutes.
Defensively, the Canadiens were solid, limiting their mistakes and frustrating the Panthers. Even when Florida tried to mount a comeback in the third period, Montreal stayed disciplined. Killing off a six-on-four penalty in the dying minutes? That’s the kind of composure that wins you games—and maybe even earns you a playoff spot. It’s a stark contrast to their loss in Seattle, where they let a late opportunity slip away. This time, they got it right.
And the atmosphere? Absolutely electric. The Bell Centre was rocking, with the wave going around the arena multiple times. It was one of those nights where you could feel the passion of the fans, and the players fed off it. By the end, you almost had to wonder if the Panthers were getting seasick from the energy in the building.
With this well-deserved 3-1 win, the Canadiens not only proved they can hang with the best, but they also inched closer in the playoff race. They’ve got two more meetings with Florida coming up, and if they bring the same intensity, anything is possible. Meanwhile, Martin St-Louis will take a quick break from coaching duties to watch his son Lucas play in the ECAC quarterfinals. But when he returns, expect him to demand more of the same from his squad.
If the Habs keep rolling like this, the postseason dream might just become a reality. What a time to be a Canadiens fan!
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