Lane Hutson rarely opts for slap shots.
Perhaps he should consider it more frequently.
The agile defenseman, known for his remarkable talent, fired a powerful point shot just 2:09 into overtime, propelling the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday in Montreal.
“That might honestly have been my first slap shot all season,” Hutson remarked.
Receiving a pass from Alexandre Texier, he navigated through traffic to score against Andrei Vasilevskiy, granting the Canadiens a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series, as a roaring Bell Centre erupted in celebration.
“I didn’t think he could shoot it that hard,” said Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. “That was a massive play for us.”
“I have no idea where it went. I just saw everyone jump, I jumped, and then I blacked out for about two minutes,” added goalie Jakub Dobes. “I’m really proud of Lane. I know what he’s capable of. I have no doubt he can do it again.”
Kirby Dach — showcasing a memorable redemption performance — and Texier each contributed a goal and an assist for Montreal, which managed to overcome missed breakaway opportunities from Ivan Demidov, Cole Caufield, and Josh Anderson. Zachary Bolduc recorded two assists while Dobes made 15 saves.
Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point scored for Tampa Bay, with Vasilevskiy making 26 saves.
This game marked the third consecutive overtime match in this closely contested series after the teams split two games in Florida. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at the Bell Centre.
If there’s one area where the five-foot-nine, 162-pound Hutson is perceived to be lacking, it’s in his shooting ability. Driven by a desire to improve his skills, the 22-year-old hockey enthusiast has taken “probably 100,000 one-timers” during practice, according to Suzuki.
“He’s a player who just keeps putting in the effort,” Suzuki explained. “Seeing him utilize that slap shot tonight and have it pay off is really exciting.”
Teammate Jayden Struble also shared that Hutson, last year’s Calder Trophy winner for rookie of the year, had predicted he would score the game-winning goal.
“Everyone in that locker room believes they could score… I just jokingly said, ‘Oh I think I got it,'” Hutson recalled. “Fortunately, it went in.”
However, Hutson’s heroics were made possible thanks to the efforts of Montreal’s fourth line, especially Dach.
‘Fans have been unbelievable’
The Canadiens forward entered the game facing scrutiny regarding his role in the lineup after an icing and missed coverage led to J.J. Moser’s winning goal in Game 2.
Support from fans poured in during warm-ups, as they chanted “Kir-by! Kir-by!” when he appeared on the big screen. He responded with what might be his best performance in a Canadiens uniform.
“I didn’t really expect it, so it was really nice,” said Dach, a former third overall pick hindered by injuries over the last three seasons. “The fans have been incredible for us all year. They’ve stood by me through a lot, so it really meant a lot.”
Playing on a newly formed line with Texier and Bolduc, Dach initiated the zone entry that led to Texier’s opening goal just 4:53 into the first period.
Tampa Bay then took a 2-1 lead until Dach equalized at 12:43 in the second period with his first playoff goal, as his shot found the net past a screened Vasilevskiy.
“I thought it was his best game of the entire season,” Suzuki stated. “It was unfortunate what happened in the previous game, but it was great to see the fans really support him tonight.”
‘The right team won tonight’
Dach’s goal shifted the momentum in favor of the Canadiens — even though they failed to take advantage of three consecutive power plays — granting Montreal a significant upper hand heading into the third period and overtime.
“We weren’t as sharp as we should have been,” Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh acknowledged. “I believe the right team won tonight.”
The crowd was electric before the puck drop as Canadiens legend Ivan Cournoyer brought a torch into the stands, with flames shooting up near the rafters.
The 21,000 fans inside the arena — waving white towels throughout the seats — then erupted in chants of “Go Habs Go!” and “Ole, Ole!” to drown out public address announcer Michel Lacroix, delaying the national anthems.
Thousands more gathered outside for a large celebration, filling the area between the Bonaventure and Lucien L’Allier metro stations, where voice-overs from four Canadiens players announced the next stops in French.
“I walked in this morning, got a coffee, and there were, I don’t know, 20-30 porta-potties outside,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis mentioned on Friday morning. “This place is ready to explode.”
The excitement extended 40 kilometers south to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, where fans supported the Habs from church pews at Cathedrale Saint-Jean-l’Evangeliste, and throughout a province that views the Canadiens as a cultural landmark.
Nevertheless, the place to be was undeniably inside the Bell Centre.
“You can’t prepare for the atmosphere here. It’s incredible, but this is what we strive for,” Dobes expressed. “Even though I experienced this environment last year, maintaining high performance is challenging. It demands a lot of energy, but it also provides a tremendous boost at the same time.”
“I feel like Sunday will be easier for everyone, especially for me. Just getting accustomed to how amazing our fans truly are.”