The Montreal Canadiens are still finding their identity as they pass the quarter mark of the 2024-25 season. However, they played a solid hockey game from start to finish on Wednesday night, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime, 4-3.
Nick Suzuki was the overtime hero, while Cayden Primeau was strong between the pipes for a much-needed victory. Meanwhile, Brendan Gallagher keeps his name in the headlines, this time throwing down with Zach Werenski.
With two big matchups ahead against the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, the Canadiens gave themselves a little positive momentum going into Thanksgiving.
Captain Clutch Does it Again to Columbus
Captain Suzuki loves to play the Blue Jackets, at least in 2024-25, with two goals in both contests, each serving as the game-winner. Back on Nov. 16 at the Bell Centre, he had a second-period goal that broke a 1-1 tie en route to a Montreal 5-1 victory.
On Wednesday, Suzuki followed up on his own rebound and batted one home past Elvis Merzlikins to give the Canadiens their fourth win in the past seven games.
Interestingly, Suzuki only has 11 game-winning goals in his career and has never scored more than one against any other club until he did it against the Blue Jackets less than two weeks apart.
Caufield Does Something Special
When Cole Caufield changed his sweater numbers from 22 to 13, he did it to honor one of his favourite hockey players and former teammate Johnny Gaudreau. On Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena under Gaudreau's No. 13 banner, Caufield scored his 13th goal of the season in a poetic form on a breakaway.
After ten goals in October, the 23-year-old has slowed down with only three goals in November. However, the dip in production hasn't completely knocked him out of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy race; he's tied with three players for eighth, and he's still on pace for the Canadiens' first 40-goal season in decades.
Primeau Up to the Task on the Road
Primeau improved to 2-2-1 this season with the win over the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Interestingly, the Canadiens backup goalie has become more of a road warrior than a guy who plays in front of friends and family at the Bell Centre.
Related: Canadiens: A Special Night For Number 13
In nine appearances this season, he's played six times on the road, securing both his wins in Philadelphia and Columbus. Moreover, his three defeats have all been on the road, with losses in Boston, Washington, and a shootout loss on Long Island.
After back-to-back losses at the Bell Centre, Primeau was tasked with stepping up, halting Montreal's mini-losing streak. For the first time in a while, he played solid enough to bank the extra point in overtime, something the Canadiens desperately needed heading into Thanksgiving.
