Suzuki scores in OT, caps Canadiens comeback against Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Nick Suzuki scored twice, including with 1:36 left in overtime, and the Montreal Canadiens rallied to defeat the Florida Panthers 3-2 at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday.

Suzuki tapped in the puck at the left post after Lane Hutson one-timed a pass from the right circle with Montreal on a 4-on-3 power play.

The goal came after Suzuki tied it 2-2 with 1:22 remaining in the third period. He scored on a one-timer from the right circle after Florida goalie Daniil Tarasov and defenseman Aaron Ekblad miscommunicated on a puck behind the net, which allowed Montreal to keep possession.

“I thought it was one of our most complete games,’’ Suzuki said. “We just kept it going even when we went down. … We got the win in OT, and I thought we were the better team in it. Definitely deserved that win.”

Cole Caufield had a goal and an assist, and Hutson and Noah Dobson each had two assists for Montreal (21-12-6), which extended its point streak to six games (4-0-2). Sam Montembeault made 28 saves.

“That’s a hard team to play against. It’s heavy, they dump a lot of pucks,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “You feel that pressure that the other team brings, and they made key plays at key times. It’s nice to see.’’

Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart scored for the Panthers (21-15-3), who were coming off a 5-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Monday. Tarasov made 26 saves.

The Panthers will next play the New York Rangers in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot park in Miami on Friday (8 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SNW, SNO, SNE, TVAS).

“I am going to grumble for a little while and will try to be in a good mood in two days,” Maurice said. “I don’t think I’ll be in a good mood tomorrow. We will have to let this one sit for a day.”

After no goals were scored by either team in the first two periods, Marchand was able to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 10:18 of the third. He took a pass from Sam Bennett in the defensive zone, brought the puck all the way up the ice, and circled around the net before skating back into the high slot, where he scored through a screen by Reinhart and Bennett.

With the goal, Marchand extended his point streak to nine games (seven goals, seven assists).

“They are very gifted,’’ Marchand said of the Canadiens. “We made a couple of mistakes that we would sure like to have back, but they are a very gifted group, for sure.”

Reinhart gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead at 15:01, scoring with a sharp-angled shot that went in off the shoulder of Montembeault.

Caufield quickly responded, though, cutting it to 2-1 at 15:33 by driving to the net and beating Tarasov five-hole.

“I think the resolution in the New Year should be to get the lead,” Caufield said with a laugh. “It’s good for us going forward in a season to look back on those moments and remember you are always in it. It’s a good place to learn from.”

NOTES: Suzuki scored his seventh career overtime goal, which is tied for the sixth-most in franchise history. His 19 overtime points are a franchise record. … Reinhart extended his point streak to six games (five goals, six assists). ... This was the first time since March 15, 2014, that the Canadiens overcame a multigoal deficit within the final five minutes of regulation to win. … Before the game, the Panthers honored Marchand for getting his 1,000th NHL point, a milestone he reached in a 6-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 13.