
The Montreal Canadiens squandered a golden alternative to lock up a playoff spot by dropping 4-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks within the shootout on Monday night time on the Bell Centre. The Habs had a 2-0 lead within the first interval.
The Blackhawks turned the rating round, grabbing a 3-2 lead within the third interval. The Canadiens tied the sport, sending it to additional time, however couldn’t prevail. The Habs got here away with a loser level when every part was stated and accomplished.
Ivan Demidov received his first NHL purpose, with Alex Newhook and Juraj Slafkovsky (PPG) getting the opposite tallies for the Habs.
In the meantime, Tyler Bertuzzi and Frank Nazar each tallied energy play objectives for the Chicago Blackhawks. Lukas Reichel received the opposite purpose for Chicago. Nazar scored the winner within the shootout.
So, right here’s a take a look at the three least spectacular Montreal Canadiens from their shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night time.
3 least spectacular Montreal Canadiens gamers from SO loss to Chicago Blackhawks
#3 Samuel Montembeault

The Montreal Canadiens beginning goaltender wasn’t overly spectacular on Monday night time. Samuel Montembeault confronted a complete of 25 photographs however surrendered three objectives. Whereas he can’t be blamed fully for the 2 energy play objectives, he failed to offer the Canadiens an opportunity to win within the shootout.
Montembeault did not bail his teammates out, particularly throughout the Blackhawks’ third purpose. Let’s have a look:
The play began with Demidov’s shot being blocked. The puck got here again the opposite manner, with Lane Hutson misreading the play after which Kaiden Guhle being unable to catch up. However as a substitute of bailing his teammates out, Montembeault was cleanly crushed by the shot.
The even-strength purpose tied the sport at three, preserving the Habs from grabbing the 2 factors and securing their ticket to the 2025 NHL playoffs.
#2 Nick Suzuki
The Montreal Canadiens captain has had a fantastic season. However on Monday night time, he did not be the one to select up his teammate when wanted probably the most. Nick Suzuki performed 26:41 over 25 shifts. He received two photographs on purpose whereas failing to generate high-danger scoring probabilities.
Within the shootout, Suzuki missed his shot. That state of affairs opened the door for the Blackhawks to get the game-winner and play the a part of spoiler.
#1 Mike Matheson

Mike Matheson’s defensive lapses have been a recurring theme all season for the Canadiens. On Monday night time, Matheson was once more on the forefront of essential defensive lapses.
Matheson had a poor displaying on protection throughout each Chicago energy play objectives. Let’s take a look at the second purpose particularly:
The Blackhawks moved the puck across the zone, with Teuvo Teravainen getting the puck over to Frank Nazar for the one-timer. The replay confirmed Matheson standing within the capturing lane however doing nothing greater than puck-watching.
Matheson did not even try to dam the shot or take the move away. Matheson’s inaction gave Nazar a transparent capturing lane, simply beating Montembeault for the game-tying purpose.
The Habs may have yet another likelihood to lock up their ticket to the 2025 NHL playoffs with their regular-season finale towards the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night time at dwelling.