The Montreal Canadiens secured a 4-3 victory against the New York Islanders, with Sean Monahan leading the charge by scoring two crucial goals in a game that marked Patrick Roy’s return to Montreal as the Islanders’ head coach. The Canadiens, who had previously held a 3-1 lead, managed to withstand a late comeback attempt by the Islanders.
Monahan’s decisive one-timer found the back of the net with just 2:12 remaining in the game, securing the 4-3 win for Montreal. The victory halted the Canadiens’ three-game losing streak and provided a memorable moment for Roy, an iconic figure in the franchise’s history. Roy, who led the Canadiens to Stanley Cups in 1986 and 1993 as a goaltender, received a thunderous ovation from the Bell Centre crowd during a presentation of a photo montage featuring highlights from his illustrious career.
Contributing to Montreal’s success were Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, each registering a goal and an assist. Goaltender Sam Montembeault played a pivotal role with 43 saves and even earned an assist on Monahan’s first goal. On the opposing side, Matthew Barzal and Bo Horvat each notched a goal and an assist, while Noah Dobson contributed three assists. Kyle Palmieri also found the back of the net for the Islanders.
The Islanders, now 1-2-0 under new coach Roy, faced adversity when they trailed 3-1 with less than ten minutes left in the third period. However, a five-minute major penalty assessed to Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher for an elbow to the head of Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech shifted the momentum. Barzal and Palmieri capitalized on the power play, tying the game with 3:32 left.
Despite the Islanders’ late surge, Monahan’s late-game heroics secured the win for Montreal. The Canadiens weathered the storm, including a close call with a shot off the post from Horvat.
Patrick Roy, despite his attempt to keep focus on the game, had to use a timeout within the first 13 minutes as the Canadiens quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead. Suzuki, Caufield, and Monahan all scored during the early offensive burst, prompting Roy to rally his players.
The passionate and animated Roy was a central figure throughout the game, displaying his trademark intensity on the Islanders’ bench. Fans paid homage to him with jerseys and signs during warm-ups, creating a festive atmosphere in the Bell Centre.
Montreal’s victory sets the stage for a challenging matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Islanders will host the Florida Panthers before heading into a weeklong break. The game on January 25, 2024, marked a significant moment in the NHL with Patrick Roy’s return and the Canadiens’ resilient triumph.
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