Imagine this: a hockey game so thrilling, it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last second—and then some. That’s exactly what happened on January 17, 2026, when the Montreal Canadiens staged a jaw-dropping comeback to defeat the Ottawa Senators 6-5 in overtime. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it sheer determination or a stroke of luck that turned the tide for Montreal? Let’s dive into the details and you decide.
The game, held in Ottawa, Ontario, was a rollercoaster of emotions. Trailing 5-3 with just over four minutes left in the third period, the Canadiens pulled goaltender Samuel Montembeault in a desperate bid to even the score. And it worked. Juraj Slafkovsky tipped in a Lane Hutson shot with 4:24 remaining, narrowing the gap to 5-4. And this is the part most people miss: Just 65 seconds later, Alexandre Carrier tied the game with a glove-side shot past Senators’ goalie Leevi Merilainen, sending the game into overtime. Cole Caufield then sealed the deal with his second goal of the night just 33 seconds into the extra frame, completing the comeback.
For the Senators, Jake Sanderson had a standout performance with a goal and three assists, including what seemed like a game-sealing goal at 7:55 in the third to put Ottawa up 5-3. Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens, and David Perron also found the net for the Senators, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Montreal’s late surge. Merilainen made 13 saves, but the Canadiens’ relentless offense proved too much to handle.
Earlier in the game, Ottawa had taken control in the second period, starting with a two-man advantage that Tkachuk capitalized on just 42 seconds in. With 1:36 left in the period, Artem Zub’s shot deflected off Perron’s skate, giving the Senators their first lead. Montreal had a goal called back midway through the period but responded late with a power-play goal from Caufield, set up by Nick Suzuki’s gritty board battle.
Here’s a bold interpretation: Lane Hutson’s three assists weren’t just impressive—they were historic. He surpassed Henri Richard’s record for the most assists by a Canadiens player aged 21 or younger in franchise history. Is Hutson the next big star in Montreal’s lineup? The debate is open.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens host Minnesota on Tuesday, while the Senators visit Detroit on Sunday. This game was more than just a win or loss—it was a testament to the unpredictability and drama of hockey. What do you think? Was Montreal’s comeback a masterpiece of strategy or a lucky break? Let us know in the comments!
