Montreal clinches playoff spot with win
The Montreal Canadiens won a game they had to have as they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-2 on Wednesday night.
The win puts the Habs in a first round matchup against the Washington Capitals.
Of course, Carolina had already wrapped up second place in the Metropolitan and will face New Jersey.
The Hurricanes fell behind just three minutes and change into the game but Taylor Hall made a shot to tie things up midway through the first.
The Habs scored twice in the second period even though the Canes outshot them 14-5 and seemed to deserve better.
Bradly Nadeau got a shot near the blueline and Tyson Jost knocked it in to make it 3-2 in the third. It was Nadeau’s first career NHL point.
While Carolina was applying some pressure, Montreal would close things out with an empty netter.
Skyler Brind’Amour, Domenick Fensore, and Nadeau each made their NHL debuts. The Canes rested many of their regulars.
Pytor Kochetkov made 17 saves on 20 shots.
The Canes will close out their regular season with a game in Ottawa on Thursday night.
Game Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20242025/GS021301.HTM
Event Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20242025/ES021301.HTM
Team’s Recap – https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/recap-shorthanded-canes-held-off-by-habs