For the first time since the team’s inception, the Utah HC hosted the Canadiens on Tuesday. With nine victories in their last 12 games, Montreal was looking to continue their strong streak.
Pezzetta came in as reinforcements for the Canadiens, who will have to manage without Emil Heineman for a few weeks, as he was injured in a car accident.
Here is the Canadiens’ lineup:
Tonight’s lineup
Tonight’s lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/59qaQcRN0b
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 15, 2025
And here is the lineup for Utah:
….. 👀 pic.twitter.com/em25tLuDCs
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 15, 2025
The two teams put on an offensive show right from the start of the game.
Michael Pezzetta and Mike Matheson were both ejected in the first minutes of the game, granting Utah a five-on-three power play opportunity. Josh Doan took advantage of this to open the scoring just under three minutes into the game.
Doaner capitalizes on the power play 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XhdMSc4HlQ
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 15, 2025
Matheson, however, managed to redeem himself about a minute later. The defenseman retrieved the puck before completely outpacing two Utah defenders. He capped off the play with a shot between the legs of Karel Vejmelka to score the first goal for the CH.
☎️ yes, this would be to report a hit-and-run please
Math eight and left no crumbs#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/BCT0vtIUBF
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 15, 2025
Lane Hutson recorded his 30th assist of the season on that goal, making him the sixth fastest defenseman to reach 30 assists in his rookie season.
Lane Hutson (43 GP) became the second-fastest rookie in @CanadiensMTL history to record 30 assists in a season, trailing only fellow defenseman Chris Chelios (38 GP in 1984-85).#NHLStats: https://t.co/Reb8bCollE pic.twitter.com/eX8fiw9MO4
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 15, 2025
He only needed 43 games, which is better than Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes!
However, Utah quickly regained control of the match. Late in the first period, Nick Bjugstad’s shot found its way behind Samuel Montembeault.
Bjugy gets his 5th of the season! pic.twitter.com/lJv9nUSvgy
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 15, 2025
After 20 minutes of play, the Canadiens were trailing by a score of 2 to 1.
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In the second period, the Canadiens took control. After allowing Utah to fire 14 shots on Montembeault in the first period, Montreal limited their opponents to just six shots in the second.
Meanwhile, the Tricolore directed 12 shots at the opposing net and managed to score twice.
Nick Suzuki came close to tying the game in the second period, but Vejmelka was saved by his defense.
Nick Suzuki almost scores, but Cole saves the day for Utah. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Fr110OjvK1
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 15, 2025
Patrik Laine tied the game with his 10th goal of the season, which was also his very first goal at even strength with the Canadiens.
Not bad for his 400th point in the NHL? 🔥
How bout that for your 400th NHL point?#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/So0mP8QnXA
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 15, 2025
Lane Hutson then made another charge by delivering a clever pass to Kirby Dach, who also put on a show by scoring a beautiful goal.
he got Dachulotter
Lights. Camera. Dachtion.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/IgQ7ykW8J4
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 15, 2025
After two periods, the Canadiens were now leading by a score of 3 to 2.
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Once again, we witnessed some goals in the third period. There was a bit of slack from the Canadiens at the beginning of the period, and Utah capitalized.
Logan Cooley had an empty net to score.
What an effort by Clayton Keller!
Logan Cooley ties this one up at 3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oQgR1kmYiD
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 15, 2025
However, the Canadiens were far from having said their last word.
Lane Hutson (yes, him again) broke free and took a shot that found its way into the opposing net. Upon review, it was noted that Cole Caufield had touched the puck, giving him his 24th goal of the season.
30th, 31st, and 32nd assists for Laner
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, what does three do? Asking for Lane Hutson#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/mFGrr0RE7H
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 15, 2025
As Utah tried to come back in the match, Jake Evans managed to break away while shorthanded but was hooked by Mikhail Sergachev.
Evans received a penalty shot but could not outsmart Vejmelka.
This did not have much consequence for the Canadiens, who continued their offensive game a few minutes later. Kirby Dach scored his second goal of the game with a routine shot that surprised Vejmelka.
Utah pulled their goalie late in the game to try to make up the two-goal deficit. Unfortunately for Utah, Montembeault and the Tricolore stood strong and prevented the puck from entering the net.
Montreal thus won by a score of 5 to 3, claiming their 10th victory in their last 13 games.
The Canadiens will be back in action on Thursday when they face the Stars in Dallas.
Overtime
– The Canadiens were not disciplined at the start of the game.
4 minor penalties (vs 0).
3 shots (vs 14).
A first period to forget for the CH.
The good news: it’s only 2 to 1 and there are still 40 minutes to play.
— Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) January 15, 2025
– Montreal could rely on Samuel Montembeault in the first period.
Only trailing 2-1 after that 1st period should be considered a positive for the #Habs! To borrow one of Martin St-Louis’ favourite descriptions – Montreal shot themselves in the foot early and often but thanks in large part to Sam Montembeault, they’re only down by one!
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) January 15, 2025
– He is simply too strong.
Lane Hutson is on his third 5+ game points streak of the season. #GoHabsGo
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 15, 2025
– He keeps impressing.
Most assists in the NHL in January
Lane Hutson: 8
Mitch Marner: 8
Patrick Kane: 7 https://t.co/dIYJOCFtHn— Guillaume Villemaire (@GVillemaire13) January 15, 2025
– He will be an important cog for the Canadiens for years to come.
Is this good? 🤔 https://t.co/oF9jjBcAdb
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 15, 2025