Suzuki scores the overtime winner for the Canadiens in their preseason win over the Leafs, who came from behind

Posted On: October 3, 2023

While there’s no denying that friendlies don’t count in the standings, the Canadiens may have learned a valuable lesson Monday night in a seemingly meaningless contest.

Maybe this rebuilding team of 10 players 23 years old or younger can feature one of the NHL’s elite players. And maybe the Canadiens, who will be challenged offensively this season, can also score goals.

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Montreal came from behind to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime at Scotiabank Arena and showed plenty of character in the process.

With the Canadiens seemingly headed for their fourth loss in five exhibition games – not to mention their third loss to the Leafs in four days – Josh Anderson sent the game into overtime with 42 seconds left in regulation. Anderson beat Ilya Samsonov from the bottom of the circle with a high shot to the blocker side, with goalie Jake Allen removed for an extra attacker.

Anderson, as always, proved to be one of the key players, firing three shots and scoring twice.

The visitors only needed 31 seconds and one shot in overtime to claim victory. Captain Nick Suzuki scored the winning goal, converting Cole Caufield’s rebound that hit the post.

The Canadiens now have a 2-3 record in friendly play and the five goals were the most the team has scored in that span.

Mattias Norlinder, Kirby Dach and Johnathan Kovacevic scored Montreal’s other goals. That two of the points were scored by defensemen – not to mention that 10 of the team’s 25 shots came from the blueline corps – could be a good sign that the Canadiens are learning more about themselves.

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Norlinder’s goal, which opened the scoring less than four minutes into the game, came on the power play – a game that has been difficult so far. It was just Montreal’s third goal with the extra man on 21 occasions, including an 11-0 equalizer in back-to-back losses to Toronto last Friday and Saturday at the Bell Centre.

Badger’s goal came late in the second period when the Canadiens were shorthanded.

Don’t think for a moment that Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis won’t remind his charges what happened that night on Oct. 11 when these two teams open the regular season in Toronto. It would be stupid not to do it.

“It’s always nice to score in this building,” Suzuki told reporters in Toronto after the game. “We don’t get any points from it, but it feels good to break the ice like that.

“These two guys (Norlinder and Kovacevic) played really well and it’s nice to see them get rewarded. Any time you get attacked by the defense it helps a lot. It’s our job to get in front of the net and get some good screens. I think we did a pretty good job of that tonight.”

With the start of the season barely more than a week away, teams’ rosters were filled with veterans. The Leafs, seeking their eighth straight playoff berth, dressed their big four – captain John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

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Tavares led Toronto with two goals, while Matthews and Nylander each contributed an assist. Matthews, now serving as a penalty killer, was all over the ice and took eight shots. Noah Gregor and former Canadian Max Domi scored the Leafs’ other goals.

While Montreal dressed many of its starters, St. Louis also gave rookie defenseman Logan Mailloux a third game at the blue line with Jordan Harris as his partner. Mailloux, who has the size and offensive talent to eventually become a productive player — even if he still needs training in his own zone — played nearly 19 minutes in what could be his final audition. He had two hits and one shot.

Allen played the entire game for the Canadiens and faced 29 shots. While his save percentage was an unflattering .862 and he was beaten on the first shot he blocked in more than seven minutes – a soft goal by Gregor – he made some key saves to keep Montreal in the game when the Leafs showed up were on the verge of taking control.

Allen’s best performance included a goal against Matthews in the 14th minute of the second period while Toronto was outnumbered. Allen also made a brilliant stop on Sam Lafferty in the 12th minute of the third period, keeping the score 3-2 for the Leafs.

The Canadiens have Tuesday off and will hit the ice for practice early Wednesday before taking a bus to Mont-Tremblant for two days of practice and some team bonding. Montreal’s final friendly is Saturday night in Ottawa.