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Canadiens Edge Panthers in Shootout Thriller
Caufield and Texier score in the shootout as Montreal rallies late to win 4-3.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:33am
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A cubist interpretation of the late-game drama and shootout heroics that decided this tightly contested hockey matchup.NYC TodayThe Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday night. Cole Caufield and Alexandre Texier scored in the shootout after Nick Suzuki's late tying goal in regulation. Ivan Demidov and Phillip Danault also scored for the Canadiens, who won for the ninth time in 10 games. Juraj Slafkovsky had two assists and Jakub Dobes made 30 saves for his sixth consecutive win. Eetu Luostarinen, Carter Verhaeghe and Cole Reinhardt scored for the Panthers, who lost their eighth straight game against the Canadiens.
Why it matters
The Canadiens are a playoff-bound team making a late-season push, while the Panthers are fading out of contention after three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final. This game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams and the importance of the points for Montreal as they look to secure a postseason berth.
The details
The Canadiens rallied late in the third period to tie the game at 3-3 on Nick Suzuki's goal. In the shootout, Cole Caufield and Alexandre Texier scored for Montreal, while the Panthers were unable to convert. Canadiens forwards Kirby Dach and Texier returned to the lineup, while Brendan Gallagher and Joe Veleno sat out. The Panthers were missing several key players, including Matthew Tkachuk, who missed the game for the birth of his first child.
- The game was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
The players
Cole Caufield
A forward for the Montreal Canadiens who scored in the shootout and is one goal shy of his 50th of the season.
Alexandre Texier
A forward for the Montreal Canadiens who also scored in the shootout.
Nick Suzuki
The Canadiens' center who scored the late tying goal in regulation.
Eetu Luostarinen
A forward for the Florida Panthers who scored in regulation.
Carter Verhaeghe
A forward for the Florida Panthers who scored in regulation.
What they’re saying
“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a good team, but we stuck with it and found a way to win. That's what matters most.”
— Nick Suzuki, Canadiens Center
What’s next
The Canadiens will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, while the Panthers will visit the Ottawa Senators.
The takeaway
This game showcased the resilience of the playoff-bound Canadiens, who rallied late to defeat the struggling Panthers in a shootout. The win keeps Montreal firmly in the playoff picture, while Florida's postseason hopes continue to fade.
