The Montreal Canadiens continue to defy expectations this NHL season, showcasing remarkable determination that was on full display during Wednesday night's thrilling 4-3 comeback victory against the Utah Mammoth in Salt Lake City.
Young Team Shows Unbreakable Spirit
What makes this Canadiens squad particularly impressive is their refusal to surrender, despite being the youngest team in the entire league. This characteristic proved crucial when they squandered a comfortable 2-0 lead built on first-period goals from captain Nick Suzuki and Zachary Bolduc.
The game took a concerning turn during the second period when the Mammoth scored three unanswered goals, putting Montreal in a difficult position heading into the final frame. However, the Canadiens demonstrated the fighting spirit that has become their trademark this season.
Suzuki and Demidov Deliver When It Matters
The third period belonged entirely to the visiting team. Nick Suzuki ignited the comeback with his second goal of the game, followed by rookie sensation Ivan Demidov who scored the game-winning marker, sending Canadiens players into celebration.
This remarkable victory marks the third time this season that Montreal has entered the third period trailing and emerged victorious. The win improves their record to 12-7-3 as they pass the quarter-mark of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Canadiens are showing significant improvement over last season, sitting eight points ahead of their pace from the previous year when they had an 8-11-3 record after 22 games. That team eventually qualified for the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Offensive Firepower Masks Goaltending Concerns
Montreal's offensive production has been nothing short of impressive this season. The team has scored three or more goals in 17 of their 22 games, and after Wednesday's victory, they ranked third in the NHL in offence, averaging 3.45 goals per game.
This represents a substantial improvement over last season when the Canadiens had only managed 62 goals through 22 games compared to this season's 76 goals.
However, second-period performances remain a concern. The team currently sports a minus-11 goal differential during middle frames, highlighting a pattern of mid-game lapses that head coach Martin St. Louis will need to address.
Goaltending has also been inconsistent, particularly from Samuel Montembeault who holds a 4-5-1 record with a 3.71 goals-against average and an .852 save percentage. In contrast, Jakub Dobes has provided stability in recent games, stopping 55 of 60 shots in his last two starts—both victories—for a .917 save percentage.
The 24-year-old Dobes improved to 8-2-2 with a 2.89 GAA and an .897 save percentage, making a strong case for the number one goaltender position moving forward.
After the game, Dobes reflected on the team's second-period struggles against Utah: "I felt like those goals, we just didn't play good. I didn't make the extra save for a couple of minutes. It doesn't define the game. Our coach said: 'You guys played really well for a couple of minutes, so let's just go back to our standard and let's win this game,' and that's pretty much what we did."
The Canadiens continue their three-game road trip with matches against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday and the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, looking to build on their impressive start to the season.
