Kreider’s Late Goal Sparks Ducks to Shootout Win Over Canadiens

In a thrilling encounter at the Honda Center, Chris Kreider delivered a dramatic equalizer with just 42 seconds remaining in regulation, paving the way for the Anaheim Ducks to secure a 6-5 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in a shootout. The Ducks, who have been on a roll lately, notched their seventh win in eight games, showcasing their resilience despite relinquishing a two-goal lead in the third period.

Kreider’s standout performance saw him match his career best with a four-point night, contributing significantly to the Ducks’ offense. Alongside him, Cutter Gauthier, who also found the net in the shootout, and Leo Carlsson each registered a goal and an assist. Anaheim’s shootout prowess remained impressive as they improved to a perfect 8-0 in shootouts this season, although they faced challenges against Montreal, converting only 2 of 6 attempts.

Radko Gudas and Jackson LaCombe added their names to the scoresheet, while Lukas Dostal made 23 saves, bouncing back from a tough night to shine in the shootout. This win marked Anaheim’s 19th comeback victory of the season, tying them with Montreal for the NHL lead.

On the other side, Cole Caufield was a standout for the Canadiens, netting two of their three goals in the third period. Lane Hutson contributed with a goal and two assists, while goaltender Samuel Montembeault turned aside 28 shots, though he faced a tough challenge as his team has now lost four of their last six games.

The scoring frenzy began early, with Gauthier finding the back of the net just 33 seconds into the game, adding to his impressive tally of seven goals in the last five games since the Olympic break. Nick Suzuki quickly responded, marking his fifth consecutive 20-goal season as Montreal’s captain.

As the game progressed, Gudas broke the ice for Anaheim with his first goal since November 19, and Carlsson added his 21st goal early in the third off a slick 2-on-1 pass from Kreider. However, Caufield surged back for Montreal, scoring his 36th and 37th goals of the season, with Alexandre Carrier contributing a tying goal with 8:13 left in regulation.

With the Ducks facing a crucial moment, Kreider skillfully redirected a shot from Jacob Trouba, marking his 21st goal of the season in a pivotal moment for his new team. In overtime, the Ducks faced a brief 4-on-3 disadvantage when Olen Zellweger committed a tripping penalty, but they successfully killed off the penalty and maintained their composure.

The Ducks played without their newest defenseman, John Carlson, who joined the team following a late-night trade that ended his long tenure with the Washington Capitals. Meanwhile, the Canadiens opted for stability at the trade deadline, keeping their roster intact.

Looking ahead, the Canadiens will face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, while the Ducks are set to host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.