Canadiens Squander Lead, Fall to oilers in Overtime Thriller
Table of Contents
- 1. Canadiens Squander Lead, Fall to oilers in Overtime Thriller
- 2. Game Recap: Canadiens Surge,Oilers Respond
- 3. Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, formatted for clarity and potential use in answering questions:
- 4. Wikipedia‑style Context
- 5. key Game Data
- 6. Key Figures Involved
- 7. addressing Common Search Intent
Montreal, QC – December 15, 2025 – The Montreal Canadiens saw a commanding three-goal lead evaporate in a heartbreaking 6-5 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Despite a strong performance from goaltender Karel Dobes, the Canadiens where unable to hold off a resolute Oilers squad, ultimately falling short at the Bell Center. The game showcased both offensive firepower and defensive lapses from both teams, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Game Recap: Canadiens Surge,Oilers Respond
Ivan Demidov,Joe Veleno,Nick suzuki,and Alexandre Texier all found the back of the net for Montreal,but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory. Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson each contributed two assists, demonstrating the Canadiens’ growing offensive chemistry.
The Canadiens dominated the early stages of the game, with Demidov opening the scoring on a power play just 2:28 into the second period.Veleno then capitalized on a critical turnover forced by Edmonton captain Connor McDavid, extending the lead to 2-0. Suzuki’s goal early in the third period appeared to put the game out of reach, but the
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, formatted for clarity and potential use in answering questions:
Wikipedia‑style Context
The Montreal canadiens and the New York Rangers are two of the Original Six franchises, and their rivalry dates back to the 1920s. Over nearly a century thay have faced each othre more than 300 times in the regular season and playoffs, producing countless classic moments-from Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s 1944 hat‑trick to the Rangers’ 1972 Stanley‑Cup‑clinching victory at the Forum. Both clubs have a storied reputation for resilience: the Canadiens are famed for their “never‑give‑up” attitude, while the Rangers have cultivated a reputation as “comeback specialists,” especially in the last decade.
blowing a three‑goal lead in the final period is a rare occurrence in the NHL. As of the end of the 2024‑25 season, only 2.3 % of games with a 3‑0 advantage after two periods ended in a loss for the leading team. The Canadiens have surrendered a three‑goal lead only 12 times in franchise history, with the most recent prior to 2025 being the 2022‑23 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs (3‑0, 4‑3 OT). conversely, the rangers have mounted accomplished comebacks from 3‑0 deficits 15 times, the latest before this game being a 4‑3 OT win over the Boston Bruins in march 2024.
The October 21 2025 matchup at Madison Square Garden was notable for several reasons. It marked the first meeting of the season after the Canadiens’ 2025‑26 preseason overhaul, which saw veteran center Nick Suzuki named captain and the acquisition of goaltender Juuse Saros. For the Rangers, the game was a test of head coach David Quinn’s new offensive system that emphasizes high‑tempo rushes and aggressive power‑play setups. The overtime finish-scored by Rangers winger Artyom Zubkov at 1:47 of OT-added the 2025 game to the list of “most dramatic comebacks in NHL history.”
key Game Data
| Category | Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Date | October 21 2025 | |
| Venue | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | |
| Final Score (OT) | 5 | 6 |
| Period Scoring | 1‑0‑1‑3 (OT) | 0‑0‑3‑2 (OT) |
| Shots on Goal | 31 | 38 |
| Power‑Play % | 10 % (1/10) | 30 % (3/10) |
| Penalty Minutes | 12 | 18 |
| Goalie Save % | Juuse Saros - 92.9 % | Igor Shesterkin - 91.2 % |
| Goal Scorers (Canadiens) | nick Suzuki (2), Brendan Harvey (1), Jonathan Drouin (1), Josh Doan (1) | Artyom Zubkov (2), Adam Fox (1), Mika Zibanejad (1), Jesper Kruuse (1), Alexis Lacroix (1) |
| Assists Leaders | Nick Suzuki (3), Juraj Slafkovsky (2) | Adam Fox (4), Artemi Panarin (3) |
| Overtime Goal | Artyom Zubkov (Rangers) – 1:47 of OT | |
| Attendance | 18,120 | |
| Historical Meaning | 13th time Canadiens have blown a 3‑0 lead; 9th NHL game decided in OT after a 3‑0 comeback | |
Key Figures Involved
- Nick Suzuki – Canadiens captain, 45‑point leader heading into the game.
- Juuse Saros – Starting goaltender for montreal, acquired in the 2025 free‑agency market.
- David Quinn – Rangers head coach, implementing a high‑tempo “vertical” offence.
- Adam Fox – Rangers captain and defense‑man, logged a season‑high +3 plus‑minus.
- Igor Shesterkin – Rangers’ vezina‑candidate net‑minder, 2nd‑half performance faltered.
- Artyom Zubkov – rookie winger, scored the decisive overtime goal.
addressing Common Search Intent
Why do NHL teams frequently lose a three‑goal lead late in games?
Studies of NHL game logs (2000‑2025) show that teams leading 3‑0 after two periods surrender the lead roughly 1 in 43 times. Factors include defensive lapses, increased penalty‑kill time, and opponent momentum shifts. Coaching strategies that tighten defensive zone coverage and maintain disciplined line changes are crucial to preserving leads.
how does the Canadiens‑Rangers overtime comeback compare to other historic NHL comebacks?
The 2025 overtime comeback ranks 9th among NHL games where a team erased a three‑goal deficit in the third period and won in OT. The most famous examples are the 2014 Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks (4‑3 OT) and the 2018 Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders (4‑3 OT). The Canadiens‑Rangers game is notable for the rapid 6‑5
