RDS: Canadiens Defeated by Hurricanes
The Montreal Canadiens faced a challenging match against the Carolina Hurricanes, where they were ultimately defeated. This game was held on a Thursday, following a strong performance from the Canadiens in 2025, where they surpassed many expectations.
Game Highlights: Canadiens vs. Hurricanes
The game started with the Canadiens eager to take an early lead after two scoreless periods in their previous matches. Nick Suzuki opened the scoring with a powerful shot, beating goaltender Brandon Bussi. Less than a minute later, Oliver Kapanen doubled the Canadiens’ lead, capitalizing on an impressive setup by Ivan Demidov, assisted by Juraj Slafkovsky. This marked Kapanen’s 12th goal of the season.
Turn of Events
Despite a strong start, the Hurricanes quickly responded. Nikolaj Ehlers broke his scoring slump by netting a power-play goal after being fouled by Alexandre Texier. This ignited a flurry of action as Sebastian Aho tied the game within two minutes, redirecting Joel Nystrom’s shot past Jakub Dobes. Aho then assisted Andrei Svechnikov, who put the Hurricanes ahead.
Pre-Game Notes
- The Canadiens entered this game with a record of 2-0-2 on their traditional holiday road trip.
- They last played on December 21, securing a comeback victory against the Florida Panthers.
- Samuel Montembeault returned to the net against Florida, stopping 28 shots for his first win since November 28.
- Jakub Dobes was named the starting goalie for this match, looking to bounce back from a previous loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- Jayden Struble replaced Adam Engstrom on defense, while Mike Matheson returned after recovering from an injury.
Player Updates
Nick Suzuki received a nomination to represent Canada in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics. The pressure of Olympic selection weighed on him mentally, but with that burden lifted, he’s eager to build on his strong performance. In 82 games since January 1, he scored 30 goals and accumulated 95 points, solidifying his status as a key player for the Canadiens.
This matchup highlighted both the offensive capabilities of the Canadiens and the resilience of the Hurricanes, showcasing why hockey remains a thrilling sport to follow.
