Suzuki scores in OT, caps Canadiens comeback against Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Nick Suzuki scored twice, including with 1:36 left in overtime, and the Montreal Canadiens rallied to beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday.

Suzuki won it with a tap in at the left post after Lane Hutson one-timed a pass from the right circle with Montreal on a 4-on-3 power play with Florida's Brad Marchand serving a roughing penalty.

The Canadiens tied the score on Suzuki's goal with 1:22 remaining in the third period as he scored on a one-timer from the right circle after Florida goalie Daniil Tarasov and defenseman Aaron Ekblad miscommunicated on a puck behind the net allowing Montreal to keep possession.

“I thought it was one of our most complete games,’’ Suzuki said. “We just kept it going even when we went down. … We got the win in OT and I thought we were the better team in it, definitely deserved that win.”

Cole Caufield had a goal and assist for Montreal (21-12-6) which extended its point streak to six games (4-0-2). Sam Montembeault made 28 saves for the Canadiens, who scored twice in the final 4:27 of regulation to force overtime. Hutson and Noah Dobson each had two assists.

“That’s a hard team to play against. It’s heavy, they dump a lot of pucks,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “You feel that pressure that the other team brings and they made key plays at key times. It’s nice to see.’’

Marchand and Sam Reinhart scored for the Panthers (21-15-3), who had won nine of their past 12 games. Tarasov made 26 saves.

The Panthers will play the New York Rangers in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Miami’s loanDepot park on Friday (8 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SNW, SNO, SNE, TVAS).

Florida coach Paul Maurice said he was going to stew on his team losing a late two-goal lead before he can get into the Winter Classic spirit.

“I am going to grumble for a little while and will try to be in a good mood in two days,” Maurice said, before extolling the virtues of the outdoor game which will be held about 45 minutes south of the Panthers’ suburban arena. “I don’t think I’ll be in a good mood tomorrow. We will have to let this one sit for a day.”

After no goals were scored by either team in the first two periods, Marchand gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 10:18 of the third.

Marchand took a pass from Sam Bennett in the defensive zone, brought the puck all the way through, circled around the net and then back into the high slot where he whipped a shot at the net with Reinhart and Bennett screening.

With the goal, Marchand extended his point streak to nine games (14 points; seven goals, seven assists).

“They are very gifted,’’ Marchand said of the Canadiens. “We made a couple of mistakes that we would sure like to have back. But they are a very gifted group, for sure.”

Reinhart gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead at 15:01, sending a sharp-angled shot that went off the shoulder of Montembeault and through.

Montreal quickly got back into the game, Caufield making it 2-1 at 15:33 by driving to the net and beating Tarasov five-hole.

“I think the resolution in the New Year should be to get the lead,” Caufield said with a laugh. “It’s good for us going forward in a season to look back on those moments and remember you are always in it. It’s a good place to learn from.”

NOTES: Suzuki scored his seventh career overtime goal, which is tied for sixth most in franchise history. His 19 overtime points are a franchise record. … With 78 points in 2025, Hutson has the second most points by a Canadiens defenseman in a single calendar year behind Guy Lapointe (79 in 1976). … Reinhart extended his point streak to six games (11 points; five goals, six assists). ... This was the first time since March 15, 2014 that the Canadiens overcame a multigoal deficit within the final five minutes of regulation to win. … Before the game, the Panthers honored Marchand for scoring his 1,000th NHL point, a milestone he reached in a 6-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 13.