The Canadiens continued their journey to Florida, facing the Panthers on Tuesday night. On this occasion, Samuel Montembeault took off for the first time since working for Laval Rocket.
Here's the Canadiens lineup:
Tonight's lineup
Tonight composition#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/4a8eEUqRnA
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 31, 2025
Here's the Panthers lineup:
#FlaPanthers lines against the Canadiens
Monastic – Lundell – Reinhart
Verhaeghe – Bennett – Marchand
Samoskevich – Rodriguez – Greer
Boqvist – Kunin – StudnickaForsling – Oak Leaf
Mikkola – Jones
Balinsky – PetriTarasov
Bobrovsky– Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) December 30, 2025
Before the game, the Panthers honored Brad Marchand for his 1,000 NHL points. On this occasion, he was presented with a golden stick.
Congratulations to Brad Marchand for reaching 1,000 career points!
@FlaPanthers held a ceremony before today's game to celebrate Marchand's achievement! pic.twitter.com/xHc9OfZjMe
– NHL (@NHL) December 31, 2025
The first period was devoted to the goalkeepers' game.
That was good news for Montembeault, who stopped all nine of the Panthers' shots in the first period.
At the other end, the Canadiens made seven shots, and Daniil Tarasov was also perfect.
After 20 minutes the score was still 0-0.
The second period belonged to the Canadiens.
Cole Caufield left Tarasov at his mercy, but he hit the post.
Caufield's hit marks the 2,348th* time a Habs player has hit the target this season.
*rough pic.twitter.com/s78Q7M5jkm
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 31, 2025
Montembeault continued his good work in the second period. The Quebecers looked calm in front of their goal and made several good saves.
So far, so good for Montembault.
He looks very calm and the tracking is in place. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/K28fN3BWMU
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 31, 2025
Monty even saved his team's ass. He countered an overhit to prevent Florida from opening the scoring.
M
NTY#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Ej8NbqWg2d
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 31, 2025
The Quebec goalkeeper flawlessly stopped 17 shots in the first forty minutes of the game.
Both teams returned to the locker room with the score still 0:0.
It was Brad Marchand's night at Sunrise, and he found the perfect way to celebrate.
Pest Panthers opened the scoring midway through the third period with a veiled shot from outside the circles.
Marchi pointed to his family after scoring
pic.twitter.com/fqvnuL7tWH
– Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 31, 2025
The Panthers needed 23 shots to finally defeat Montembeault. Not a bad comeback.
With the wind in their sails, Florida also scored its second goal of the game. Sam Reinhart doubled his team's lead.
Good shot from Reinhart from a terrible angle.
Montembault left too early.2-0 Panthers. pic.twitter.com/8iHUdQmywF
– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 31, 2025
The Canadiens usually give up an early goal after scoring one. This time it was the other way around!
Cole Caufield finally solved the Tarasov conundrum by putting the Habs on the scoreboard.
It was Cole Caufield's first goal at even strength in 11 games since December 8th.
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 31, 2025
The Canadiens pulled Montembeault with two minutes left, and just like the last game, the strategy worked!
Nick Suzuki's shot on arrival tied the game for the Habs.
CAPTAIN CLUTCH#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/y4fWbwiB0c
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 31, 2025
In this equal game we needed overtime.
It may have been Marchand's night, but he didn't look great in overtime. He landed a hard blow to the head of Mike Matheson, who then had difficulty getting up.
This power play proved to be extremely dangerous. Montreal had many chances, but the standout was Nick Suzuki's shot into the post.
The captain recovered shortly before the end of the power play and scored the winning goal.
NICK SUZUKI GIVES THE HUBS THE VICTORY AFTER A SUPERB PASS BY LANE HUTSON!
#GoHabsGo V. #TimeToHunt at RDS
pic.twitter.com/FpPh4rwktL
– RDS (@RDSca) December 31, 2025
The Canadiens won their last game of 2025 3-2 in overtime!
The Habs return to action on January 1st when they visit the Hurricanes in Carolina.
After a while
– Arber Czekay played his 200th NHL game.
200 games
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) December 31, 2025
– Ivan Demidov gets better with every game.
Ivan Demidov's defensive play is already several levels better than where he was at the start of the season.
What a test this shift is.
– Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) December 31, 2025
– His stay in Laval did him good.
Samuel Montembeault looks JUST like Montembeault from last season. He survives for a whole second.
He is lively and quick on his feet.
He also challenges the shooter a lot.
– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) December 31, 2025
– The Canadiens’ indiscipline cost them dearly.
Fine. You can't concede 100 penalties a game and not expect the reigning Cup champions to score at least one goal.
– HFTV (@HFTVSports) December 31, 2025
– Nick Suzuki is special.
#Habs Captain Nick Suzuki always looks calm – no matter the situation. A true leader
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 31, 2025
– Not bad!
In 2025, the Canadiens have a record of 43-26-14. 100 points in 83 games.
– Sebastien Goulet (@SebGouletTVAS) December 31, 2025
