Montreal Canadiens 4, Dallas Stars 3 (OT): Young Legs, Big Nerve
The Montreal Canadiens left Dallas with a 4–3 overtime win Sunday night, and it felt like one of those games that says more about who you are than where you are in the standings. On the second night of a road back-to-back, in a tough building, against a team that expects to play deep into spring, Montreal bent but didn’t break. They stayed in it, answered every push, and let their youngest defenceman have the last word.
The story turned late in overtime. After a key save by Sam Montembeault on a Wyatt Johnston breakaway, the Canadiens won a faceoff at the other end. Lane Hutson read the moment, jumped into the play, and wired a wrist shot home with 1:20 left. It was calm, confident, and fearless — the kind of play that doesn’t look rushed even when the game is hanging by a thread.
This wasn’t a perfect game. Dallas had stretches where they tilted the ice, especially in the third. But Montreal never looked overwhelmed. They played to their structure, trusted their legs, and kept finding answers.
Key Point One: Lane Hutson’s Timing Was Perfect
Lane Hutson didn’t just score the winner — he picked his spot. The rookie finished with a goal and an assist, but more importantly, he showed the kind of feel for the moment that can’t be coached. For a 21-year-old defenceman, that calm decision-making in overtime says plenty about his ceiling.
Key Point Two: Power Play Made the Difference for the Canadiens
Montreal’s power play delivered when it mattered. Juraj Slafkovsky’s late second-period goal swung momentum back in the Canadiens’ favour after Dallas had pushed ahead. Against a disciplined, heavy Stars team, special teams were the separator.
Key Point Three: Habs’ Goalie Sam Montembeault Held the Line
Sam Montembeault’s stat line won’t scream dominance, but the timing of his saves mattered. The stop on Johnston in overtime kept the game alive long enough for Hutson to finish it. That’s goaltending that understands the moment, not just the numbers.
Final Thoughts from the Canadiens’ Perspective
The Canadiens came off a loss in St. Louis, travelled to a desperate Dallas club, and still found a way. They scored first, answered every tying goal, and didn’t lose their structure when the pressure climbed.
There were milestones, too. Phillip Danault picked up two assists to pass 400 career points, a quiet reminder of his long, steady value to the organization. Montreal also earned its 13th comeback win of the season — a number that speaks to belief as much as talent.
Games like this don’t guarantee anything. But they tell you the Canadiens’ brand travels. And if the kids keep learning how to win games like this, nights like Sunday won’t feel surprising for much longer.