CHICAGO – The Montreal Canadiens turned the tables on the Chicago Blackhawks with a stunning comeback, scoring five consecutive goals for a 5-2 win at the United Center on Friday. The victory extended the Canadiens’ point streak to five games, demonstrating their resilience and ability to bounce back.
Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki led the charge for Montreal (15-13-5), each contributing a goal and an assist. David Savard added an empty-net goal and an assist, and goaltender Cayden Primeau made 19 saves. “We showed our relentlessness and ability to fight back,” Suzuki said, reflecting on the team’s recovery after a slow start.
The Blackhawks (10-21-1) initially took control with goals from Ryan Donato and Jason Dickinson. Connor Bedard provided an assist, while goalie Petr Mrazek made 23 saves. However, Chicago’s early momentum was short-lived.
Chicago coach Luke Richardson pointed out the team’s shortcomings. “We lacked smart play and awareness, which cost us the game,” he said.
Montreal’s comeback began with Mitchell Stephens’ goal, his first since 2020, cutting the deficit to one. Josh Anderson then tied the game, setting the stage for Slafkovsky’s go-ahead goal. “Being in the right place for rebounds is key,” Slafkovsky said.
Suzuki’s third-period goal further solidified Montreal’s lead, and Savard’s empty-netter sealed the win. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis praised the team’s persistence. “We kept doing the right things on the ice and played an excellent third period,” he said.
The game also highlighted several individual achievements and milestones. Slafkovsky scored his first game-winning goal since being drafted first overall in 2022. Stephens made a significant impact in his return, and Savard was a standout with a plus-3 rating in over 21 minutes of ice time.
The Blackhawks made roster moves, activating defenseman Jarred Tinordi and assigning others to the AHL. Tinordi, returning from concussion protocol, played for the first time since early December.
For Montreal, this win is a testament to their tenacity and team spirit, while the Blackhawks will look to address their gameplay issues as they move forward. Both teams will aim to carry their lessons from this game into their upcoming fixtures.
