The Montreal Canadiens closed out 2025 in dramatic fashion, storming back from a two-goal deficit in the final five minutes of regulation to stun the Florida Panthers 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday night.
Nick Suzuki was the hero for Montreal, scoring a power-play goal 3:24 into overtime after Florida’s Brad Marchand was called for roughing just 1:27 into the extra period. Suzuki had already sparked the rally by scoring late in regulation to tie the game, finishing the night with two goals as the Canadiens continued their strong stretch, improving to 6-1-3 over their last 10 games.
Cole Caufield also scored for Montreal, which capped off a comeback few could have predicted after a tightly played, scoreless first 40 minutes. The Panthers, meanwhile, got goals from Marchand and Sam Reinhart but couldn’t hold on in a frantic finish.
The game was locked in a defensive stalemate through two periods, marking just the 11th scoreless game after 40 minutes in the NHL this season — and the first for both Florida and Montreal. It was also the first time the two teams had gone scoreless through two periods since Feb. 14, 2013, a game the Canadiens ultimately won 1-0.
The deadlock finally broke at 10:18 of the third period when Marchand opened the scoring for Florida. Reinhart followed with a goal at the 15:01 mark to give the Panthers a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead. But the Canadiens responded almost immediately. Caufield cut the deficit in half just 32 seconds after Reinhart’s goal, igniting the Montreal bench and setting the stage for Suzuki’s equalizer with 1:22 remaining in regulation.
Earlier in the evening, the Panthers honored Marchand with a pregame ceremony recognizing his 1,000th career point, a milestone he reached in mid-November. Marchand chose to celebrate it against Montreal, one of his longtime rivals from his days in Boston and a team coached by one of his idols, Martin St. Louis. The night ended on a sour note for Florida, however, as Marchand’s overtime penalty proved costly.
The win was a meaningful one for Montreal as it wrapped up its final game of 2025. The Canadiens’ 21 victories entering New Year’s Day are their most at this point in a season since 2018-19, a promising sign for a young team gaining momentum.
Florida also closed out its year Tuesday night, playing its 106th game of 2025 — the third consecutive year the Panthers have surpassed 100 games, a byproduct of deep postseason runs. The Panthers have appeared in each of the last three Stanley Cup Finals, winning the past two championships.
Up next, the Canadiens head to Carolina to face the Hurricanes on Thursday, while the Panthers turn their attention to a marquee matchup, hosting the New York Rangers in the Winter Classic in Miami on Friday.
