When the 2024-25 NHL season began, the Montreal Canadiens were not really on anybody’s radar to be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. While they have some intriguing young players and a rapidly improving young core, they still seemed to be at least a year or two away from serious contention.
That timeline has rapidly changed.
Thanks to their 3-2 overtime win against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, the Canadiens are keeping their hold on the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and remain in the driver’s seat for that spot.
Tuesday’s win was significant for their chances, and they have captain Nick Suzuki to thank for it. He may have completely changed their season in 40 seconds of clock time.
First, with the Canadiens trailing, 2-1, in the closing seconds, Suzuki tied the game to send it overtime for what would be — at the time — his biggest goal of the season.
