At a Glance
- Montreal Canadiens win 4-3 in OT over Dallas Stars.
- Lane Hutson nets first OT goal, 13th career.
- Dallas power play remains unused in 18 home attempts since Dec. 5.
- Why it matters: Dallas struggles on power play while Canadiens keep momentum.
The Montreal Canadiens edged the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime, with Lane Hutson scoring the game-winning goal 3:40 into OT. The win marks the Canadiens’ fourth of seven straight road games and keeps their seven-game road streak alive after the Christmas break.
Game Summary
- Scorers for Montreal: Lane Hutson (OT), Brendan Gallagher, Oliver Kapanen, Juraj Slafkovsky.
- Stars’ goals: Wyatt Johnston (2), Mavrik Bourque.
- Goalie performances: Samuel Montembeault stopped 24 shots for Montreal; Jake Oettinger allowed 25 for Dallas.
Montreal’s Phillip Danault added two assists, including the assist on Hutson’s winner. The Stars’ Jake Oettinger has lost three straight starts this season.
Power Play Struggles
| Period | Power Play Attempts | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 5 – Jan 4 | 18 | 0 |
| Sunday | 3 | 0 |
Dallas has the second-best power play in the league but has gone 0-3 on Sunday and has not scored on any of its last 18 home power plays since Dec. 5. The slump highlights a growing issue on the special-teams side.
Upcoming Games
- Canadiens host Calgary on Wednesday to start a four-game homestand.
- Stars head to Carolina for a six-game road trip beginning Tuesday, marking the first of a back-to-back.
Key Takeaways
- Canadiens secure 4-3 OT victory, extending road streak.
- Lane Hutson‘s first OT goal is a career milestone.
- Dallas power play remains ineffective at home.
The Canadiens’ win and Dallas’ power-play woes set the stage for a tense season as both teams look ahead to their next challenges.
