Suzuki’s late-game heroics lift Canadiens to dramatic 3-2 OT win over Panthers

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Montreal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki (14) scores against Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki (14) scores the winning goal against Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek during overtime NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault is scored on by Florida Panthers’ Mackie Samoskevich, not shown, as Canadiens’ Alexandre Carrier (45) looks for a rebound during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Joel Armia, left, collides with Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Florida Panthers’ Sam Reinhart (13) moves in on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) jumps to avoid contact with Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Evans (71) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Michael Pezzetta (55) and Florida Panthers’ Nate Schmidt (88) vie for the puck during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki (14) is mobbed by teammates after scoring the winning goal against the Florida Panthers during overtime NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal Canadiens’ Josh Anderson (17) tips the puck past Florida Panthers goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) as Panthers’ Uvis Balinskis (26) defends during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Florida Panthers’ Anton Lundell (15) gets by Montreal Canadiens’ Christian Dvorak (28) as he moves in on Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

MONTREAL (AP) — Nick Suzuki scored his second of the game 29 seconds into overtime as the Montreal Canadiens came back for a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers in the second game of a home-and-home on Tuesday night.

Suzuki also tied the game with 8.4 seconds remaining in regulation.

Josh Anderson also scored for Montreal (35-30-9) and Sam Montembeault stopped 25 shots.

Lane Hutson earned three assists to pad that total to 57 this season, passing Chris Chelios for second-most by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.

Mackie Samoskevich and Niko Mikkola scored for Florida (44-26-4), which was swept in four games against Montreal this season. The Canadiens also beat the Panthers 4-3 in Sunrise, Florida, on Sunday.

Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves. He has only one win in 11 starts since Nov. 30.

The Canadiens entered the game holding the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot.

The Panthers, meanwhile, moved two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for top spot in the Atlantic Division.

Takeaways

Panthers: Mikkola was showered with boos each time he touched the puck after something that transpired in Sunday’s game. As the final buzzer sounded, the 6-foot-6 defenseman fired a slapshot down the ice and nearly struck Montreal’s David Savard, leading to a scrum.

Canadiens: Started strong with a 9-5 edge in shots during an energetic first period but lost steam in the second.

Key moment

Amid the jeers, Mikkola’s centering pass deflected off Jake Evans’ stick and into Montreal’s net at 10:37 of the first period. His sixth goal of the season tied the game 1-1 and stifled Montreal’s early momentum.

Key stat

Hutson became the 10th rookie NHL defenseman to reach 60 points in a season. He’s also only the third Canadiens blueliner in franchise history to tally 57 assists in a campaign.

Up next

The Panthers visit the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. The Canadiens host the Bruins on Thursday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl