By Tyler Dixon – April 17, 2025
The Final Test: Game 82
The Montreal Canadiens playoffs 2025 dream was hanging by a thread going into Game 82 — and the Carolina Hurricanes were the final team in their way. Carolina had already clinched, so they rested some big names in this one — Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Jordan Staal, Jaccob Slavin, Jordan Martinook, Jalen Chatfield, and Jackson Blake all sat out ahead of their playoff opener against the Devils.
In the morning skate, Kaiden Guhle said it best:
“No matter the outcome, you’re gonna remember this game for the rest of your life. Do-or-die situation. Got the chance to clinch in Game 82 — it’ll be fun.”
He wasn’t wrong. This is what makes the game so damn exciting. It’s hard to believe that after a 7-month grind, it comes down to one night.
Bell Centre Buzz: You Could Feel It
Tonight’s game at the Bell Centre had that feeling — pure electricity in the air. I’ve been to three games in that building in my life, and I still can’t describe the rush when a Habs player scores. Strangers become your best friends the second a goal goes in. It’s goosebumps. Every. Time.
Guhle Lights the Spark Early
3:50 into the game, Kaiden Guhle opened the scoring with his fifth of the season, assisted by Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki. The Habs came out flying. Every time Ivan Demidov touched the puck, you could feel the tension through the TV screen.
Missed Chances and Momentum Swings
Cole Caufield had a breakaway but missed the net — likely some nerves in play. Taylor Hall answered shortly after for Carolina, tying the game at 1 after the puck bounced off Guhle and in.
Later, Caufield dug the puck out and set up a beautiful 2-on-1 with Slaf, but Slafkovsky completely whiffed. The chances were there — they just couldn’t finish. By midway through the second, they had shown eight solid scoring chances, all missed.
Captain Suzuki and Guhle Take Over
Then came the captain.
Nick Suzuki buried one off a feed from Alexandre Carrier, notching his 30th goal of the season and pushing him to 89 points. If anyone was going to step up, it was going to be the big C.
Moments later, Guhle fired home what looked like a carbon copy of his first goal, giving him his first multi-goal game in the NHL. The boys walked into the dressing room up 3-1 after two.
Evans Seals It, Bell Centre Explodes
In the third, Jake Evans took a hit to the face and let the ref hear about it. The very next shift? He ripped an empty netter from the Habs’ own end, sealing a 4-2 win and punching Montreal’s ticket to the postseason.
The fans rose. The building shook.
“Olé, Olé, Olé!” echoed through the Bell Centre (you need to hear it — watch this).
Back to the Playoffs, Finally
With the win, the Montreal Canadiens playoffs 2025 run officially begins, and fans can finally breathe again. Their first appearance since that unforgettable 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.
I’ll never forget that series against the Maple Leafs. Toronto had us pinned 3-1, and we came back to win it in Game 7. Absolute chills.
Now, the Habs are set to face the Washington Capitals in Round 1.
What Do You Think?
Are the Habs ready?
Can this young squad pull off another miracle run?
Let me know in the comments — and share this post with any Habs fan who was screaming at their screen just like I was tonight.
So incredibly happy for the best player ever and super coach Marty St. Louis.
Marty is the man!