Canadian players will not have to live the most stressful 24 hours of their career, when they have managed to confirm their participation in the STANLEY Cup qualifiers… in the fourth occasion.
Kaiden Guhle scored two goals, Nick Suzuki has raised a goal and a help and the Montreal club concluded his regular calendar by beating the Hurricanes from Caroline 4-2, Wednesday evening at the Bell Center.
Only one point was enough for the Canadian to confirm his return to series for the first time since 2021. A setback in regulation time against the Hurricanes would have allowed the Blue Jackets to Columbus to style them over the finish by beating the New York Islanders in regulation time on Thursday.
This disaster scenario did not occur. After a few moments of tension, the tricolor separated from the Hurricanes thanks to goals from Suzuki and Guhle late in the second period. Tyson Jost made things interesting by reducing the gap to one goal with 5:50 to do in the third period. The Hurricanes continued to threaten later, but the supporters were finally able to start celebrating when Jake Evans scored in a deserted net with 1:55 to sell to the dial.
The Canadian will now cross iron with Washington’s capital in the first round of the series.
Samuel Montembeault pushed 28 shots in front of the Canadiens net (40-31-11), which had lost its three previous games (0-1-2).
Suzuki reached the 30 goals for the first time in a career, while Lane Hutson equaled an NHL record for a first -year defender by collecting a 60e Help mention.
Taylor Hall scored the other goal of the Hurricanes (47-29-5), who only have a victory for their last seven outings (1-5-1). Pyotr Kochetkov arrested 16 throws.
Stronger Emil Heineman was back to the Canadian game after an absence of five games due to an upper body injury. Oliver Kapanen gave him his place.
The Hurricanes had given leave to several veterans and star players, including their two best pointers Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. They were already guaranteed to finish second in the metropolitan section.
-A sigh of relief
The Canadian started the match, taking the lead after only 3:50 of play. Guhle surprised Kochetkov, who had the view veiled by his teammate Skyler Brind’amour.
The tricolor has screwed up a few opportunities to widen the gap. Kochetkov managed a beautiful mit as a nice stop against Suzuki and another right arm against Cole Caufield, who had escaped. For his part, Ivan Demidov just touched the post to the goalkeeper’s left.
The Hurricanes made the Canadian pay for his lack of opportunism. Visitors created equality 1-1 at 9:56, when a hall shot died against Guhle’s left leg before completing in the goal.
Juraj Slafkovsky, Qui Disputait UN 200e Match in the NHL, wasted a chance to restore the lead to the Canadiens before the end of the first twenty. He was unable to master a pass of Caufield which would have allowed him to appear alone in front of Kochetkov.
Montembeault had to be alert in the second period, while the Hurricanes were more threatening. He notably frustrated blow Hall and Bradly Nadeau.
The Canadian took advantage of a digital advantage a little later, but he was unable to thwart Kochetkov. Then Caufield reached the crossbar after a perfect pass by Suzuki during a two -on -one attack.
The tension was finally released in the Bell Center thanks to two goals from the Canadian in an interval of 2:26, late in the second period. Suzuki first thwarted Kochetkov thanks to a precise shot on the side of the shield at 4:22 pm, then Guhle returned to the charge this time from a Slafkovsky screen to deceive the vigilance of the opposing goalkeeper.
The Canadian obtained the best opportunities to score in the third period. Patrik Laine reached the crossbar, then Heineman hit the post to the left of Kochetkov. For his part, Josh Anderson came up against the Hurricanes goalkeeper in escape.
Jost took advantage of a free washer to bring the Hurricanes back in the blow, but they failed to play the spoilsports.
After Evans’ insurance goal, the crowd got up to congratulate its favorites with a noisy ovation during the last minute of play.
