The Montreal Canadiens delivered a thrilling performance on Tuesday night, clinching an overtime victory against the Seattle Kraken in a heart-pounding home opener at the Bell Centre. However, the most poignant moment of the evening occurred before the game even began.
The event commenced with a touching homage to the late Ken Dryden, a revered legend of the franchise who passed away on September 5 at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer. A tribute video showcasing highlights from his illustrious career played on the Bell Centre’s scoreboard.
An emotional gesture saw a goalie mask placed on an empty net on the ice, while a flag displaying his retired No. 29 was spotlighted in the rafters. Former Canadiens teammates of Dryden stood behind the bench during the tribute, uniting with the crowd in honoring the Hall of Famer.
On the ice, the Canadiens swiftly took the lead with a goal from Alex Newhook, igniting the fervor of the home crowd. Goalkeeper Jake Allen made crucial saves to maintain the advantage and secure the win.
The hero of the night was Cole Caufield, who netted his second goal during overtime at 3:25, propelling his team to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Seattle Kraken at the Bell Centre.
Rookie sensation Ivan Demidov leveled the game with less than three minutes remaining in the third period, forcing the extra session. Kirby Dach also contributed a goal for Montreal, with Samuel Montembeault making 18 saves in the winning effort. The Canadiens extended their winning streak to three games as they embarked on a four-game homestand.
Jaden Schwartz, Jani Nyman, Jamie Oleksiak, and Jared McCann found the net for the Kraken, who suffered their first defeat of the season and the commencement of a six-game road trip. Joey Daccord thwarted 17 shots.
The Canadiens sought retribution against Seattle, who had swept the two-game season series last year, including a resounding 8-2 victory on home ice in October.
The Canadiens’ triumph marked the pinnacle of a night brimming with festivities surrounding Montreal’s home opener. The pre-game ceremonies were punctuated by extended ovations for Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, Demidov, and reigning Calder Trophy recipient Lane Hutson, who recently inked an eight-year, $70.8 million contract extension.
Former Canadiens goaltender Carey Price made a special appearance at the home opener, soaking in the atmosphere.
The Canadiens will continue their homestand on Thursday night against the Nashville Predators, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre.
Keyphrase: Montreal Canadiens victory
