Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault (35) reacts after Chicago Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar scored during the second period of their NHL game in Montreal on Monday, April 14, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Kaiden Guhle stepped up in style Wednesday night, netting two crucial goals that helped the Montreal Canadiens secure a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes and punch their ticket to the playoffs. With this victory in their final game of the regular season, the Canadiens claimed the last Eastern Conference playoff spot and will face the Washington Capitals in the first round.
Nick Suzuki added to the scoreboard with his 30th goal of the season, set up by a slick pass from Alexandre Carrier. Jake Evans sealed the deal with an empty-net goal late in the third period. Goalie Sam Montembeault was rock solid between the pipes, stopping 28 shots and keeping the Canadiens ahead when it mattered most.
Montreal (40-31-11) hadn’t reached the postseason since their unforgettable Stanley Cup Final run in 2021. After missing chances to clinch in their previous three outings—including losses to Ottawa, Toronto, and Chicago—this win at home brought relief and celebration to the fans at the Bell Centre.
On the other side, Carolina (47-29-5), already secured a playoff berth, decided to rest several of their regulars. Even with top names like Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal sitting out, the Hurricanes stayed competitive. Tyson Jost and Taylor Hall each scored for the visitors, and Hall came close to a second, ringing a shot off the post late in the game. Jost’s goal in the final minutes made things tense until Evans’ empty-netter brought the crowd to its feet.
Skyler Brind'Amour, son of Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour, made his NHL debut, becoming just the eighth player in league history to suit up under his father’s coaching.
The Canadiens needed just a single point to block the Columbus Blue Jackets from catching them in the wild-card race. The pressure was heavy, not just on the ice but also beyond it—so much so that a French-language federal election debate was moved earlier in the evening to avoid clashing with the game. Quebec Premier Francois Legault was among the many fans watching live.
A turning point came late in the second period when Suzuki and Guhle scored just 2 minutes and 26 seconds apart, flipping the game from a close contest to a two-goal lead. That quick burst of offence gave Montreal a cushion they held onto the rest of the way.
One more milestone came courtesy of rookie defenseman Lane Hutson. With his assist in the game, Hutson tied Larry Murphy’s 1980-81 record for most assists (60) by a rookie blueliner in a single NHL season. It’s a moment that cements Hutson’s Calder Trophy campaign and underlines the promising talent in the Canadiens’ lineup.
