Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
It was yet another evenly-matched game, at least on the scoreboard. The Habs emerged with a 2-1 win, and a 2-1 series advantage thanks to Lane Hutson‘s overtime goal. All things considered, the scoreline was a little flattering towards the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that generated a grand total of one high-danger scoring chance at 5v5. [Canadiens Highlights: Hutson Plays The Hero In Big Win]
Hutson’s game-winning goal was so nice, it’s worth watching twice.
LANE HUTSON IS YOUR @ENERGIZER OVERTIME HERO! đ”âȘïžđŽ #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/nJCmLD0jod
— NHL (@NHL) April 25, 2026
It should also be noted that Hutson somehow managed to call his own goal. This may come off as arrogant to some, but we all know that’s not Hutson’s style. He’s simply confident in his game, and he has the results to back it up.
Lane Hutson joked about feeling like he had the game-winner tonight to his teammates before OT.
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) April 25, 2026
According to Jayden Struble, Lane just dropped an "I think I got this tonight," and went out and scored the GWG.
6/5 competitiveness from #48 pic.twitter.com/4o2NV82KlW
Captain Nick Suzuki‘s dry humour was at play following the exciting win.
#Habs Nick Suzuki on Lane Hutson's bomb from the point in overtime: "I didn't think he could shoot it that hard…" the captain said with a smirk
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) April 25, 2026
While the first line struggles to create much offence at even-strength, Kirby Dach has done a great job helping the Canadiens win, including a two-point effort on Friday night. It was one of his best games in a Habs uniform since joining the team in 2022.
Cole Caufield on the Habs playoff home game tomorrow:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 23, 2026
âWe saw Game 3 at the Bell Centre on a Friday night, everybody was just grinning ear to ear, likeâŠ.
âFuck me. This is gonna be insane.â
âWe know that itâs going to be absolutely rocking tomorrow night.â pic.twitter.com/HUGRjxoKqj
It’s very easy to dismiss the play of Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble on the third pairing, but it would be intellectually dishonest to ignore the fact that they lead all NHL defencemen in expected goal share. Yes, it’s easier to play on the third pair, but it’s never easy to control over 80% of the expected goals. [Canadiens Need Better Results From Top Four]
Xhekaj and Struble are currently 1st and 2nd in xGF%.
— Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) April 25, 2026
Yes, the usage is easier on the third pairing, but it's also true they've been excellent.
If it were so easy to produce those numbers, they wouldn't be leaps and bounds ahead of the entire NHL.
It's a very good pairing. pic.twitter.com/tCqzFUlQ0x
Ivan Demidov sat down with Elliotte Friedman to discuss his rookie season with the Habs, and how they’ve quickly become a part of his family.
Sportsnaut Network
There wasnât a chance the New Jersey Devils were going to let Sunny Mehta slip through their fingers. Sunny Mehta is eight days into his Devils tenure and has already endeared himself to New Jerseyâs organization and fans alike at his introductory press conference. Yet, just nine days ago, there was the very real interest in and possibility that Mehta could be the next man in charge of the Toronto Maple Leafs. [New Jersey Devils]
An undersized No.86 flying around the ice making impact plays with the puck on his stick? That must be Jack Hughes, right? Actually, itâs Buffalo Sabres rookie, Noah Ăstlund. When the Sabres learned they were losing Josh Norris to injury in Game 3, it instilled a bit of trepidation. [Buffalo Sabres]
There has been no love lost between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators throughout their Round One matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and after the events of Game 3, itâs safe to say that the general sense of dislike has only deepened after Taylor Hallâs check to the head resulted in Jake Sanderson leaving the game. [Ottawa Senators]
