FLA@MTL: Postgame
The Canadiens downed the Panthers in a shootout to secure their third straight win
by Matt Cudzinowski @CanadiensMTL / canadiens.com
MONTREAL - The Canadiens played their second preseason game in as many nights on Thursday, earning a 5-4 shootout win at the Bell Centre.
The focus was certainly on the Habs' youngsters heading into the contest, all of whom had performed exceptionally well to date.
And it wasn't long before one of them registered his name on the scoresheet as Nick Suzuki picked up a helper on a goal by Jordan Weal just 61 seconds into the first period, beating Panthers starter Sam Montembeault to cap a nice individual effort.
That gave the Canadiens an early 1-0 advantage.
Video: FLA@MTL: Weal finds twine from tough angle
Captain Shea Weber collected the other assist on the play.
The Panthers responded in the latter stages of the frame as Owen Tippett tied things up 1-1 with 5:18 left before the break.
The Canadiens outshot Joel Quenneville's club 13-6 through the opening 20 minutes of play.
Florida broke things open early in the second period, scoring twice before the frame was three minutes old.
After Anthony Greco intercepted a Maxim Lamarche pass and proceeded to beat Carey Price, it was Jonathan Ang's turn to light the lamp just 73 seconds later to put the Panthers up 3-1.
But that didn't keep the Habs down for long.
Brendan Gallagher scored in his first appearance of the preseason off a feed from Artturi Lehkonen to cut Florida's lead to a single tally.
Video: FLA@MTL: Gallagher corrals puck, scores wrist shot
Max Domi was credited with the secondary assist.
It was the first of three straight goals Claude Julien's contingent would post to close out out the period.
Defenseman Brett Kulak tied things up courtesy of a tape-to-tape feed from Suzuki.
Video: FLA@MTL: Kulak hammers home Suzuki's flip pass
Then, it was Gallagher getting on the board again from Lehkonen to put the Canadiens ahead 4-3.
The Habs outshot the Panthers 14-3 in the second period for a 27-9 advantage heading into the intermission.
Just past the midway point of the third period, the Panthers capitalized on a power play to even things up.
Brett Connolly tipped a pass beyond Price with 9:50 left in regulation.
Nothing was settled in overtime, so this one went to a shootout.
Suzuki, Weal and Phil Varone all found the back of the net to give the Canadiens the win.
Click here for a complete game summary.