The Montreal Canadiens' high-octane offence proved to be the difference maker in a chaotic New Year's Day clash, as the team snapped a lengthy road losing streak against the Carolina Hurricanes with a 7-5 victory at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
A Wild Night of Goals and Goaltending
In a game that featured little defensive restraint, the Canadiens' attack exploded, finding the back of the net seven times. The win was historic, marking Montreal's first road victory against Carolina since April 7, 2016, ending a painful string of 12 consecutive losses in Raleigh. The losing streak spanned an incredible 3,557 days, or nine years, eight months, and 26 days.
The decision in goal raised eyebrows, as head coach Martin St. Louis opted for Jakub Dobes over Samuel Montembeault, who had played well two nights prior. Dobes, making his first start since December 21, showed signs of rust, allowing five goals on 26 shots for a save percentage of .808. Despite the shaky performance, he secured the win.
Carolina's netminder, Brandon Bussi, fared even worse. The 27-year-old rookie, who has been a surprise standout this season, was pulled after allowing six goals on just 18 shots, posting a dismal .714 save percentage.
Key Performances and Turning Points
The Canadiens were led by several standout performances. Captain Nick Suzuki continued his stellar season, scoring a goal to bring his point total to 45 through 40 games. This is the highest point total for a Montreal player at the 40-game mark since Saku Koivu had 47 in the 1996-97 season.
Cole Caufield broke a personal nine-game scoreless streak against the Hurricanes, netting his team-leading 20th goal of the season. Juraj Slafkovsky scored a highlight-reel goal, carrying the puck from deep in his own zone before beating Bussi. Defenseman Lane Hutson iced the game with a 195-foot empty-net goal.
The game was not without controversy and injury. Montreal's Mike Matheson was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury sustained from an elbow by Florida's Brad Marchand in the previous game. During the contest, Josh Anderson scored but later left with a lower-body injury and did not return.
What the Win Means Moving Forward
The victory improved Montreal's impressive road record to 12-3-5 away from the Bell Centre. The team has not lost in regulation on the road since November 29 in Colorado. The win also showcased the team's depth, with players like Adam Engstrom stepping in admirably for the injured Matheson.
Post-game comments reflected the team's resilience. "Crazy game. A lot of goals," said Slafkovsky. "I'm really happy how we played. This is a pretty tough rink to play. This one feels really good." Goaltender Jakub Dobes praised teammate Arber Xhekaj, stating, "Without him, I'd be screwed... He's my favourite guy."
Coach St. Louis acknowledged the unusual nature of the high-scoring affair with a quip about the calendar: "It was New Year's Eve last night. I'm going to leave it at that." The Canadiens now look to continue their strong road play as they conclude a seven-game trip with matches in St. Louis and Dallas.
