SUNRISE, Fla. — In the crucial final minutes of a tight game against the Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens rookie Lane Hutson demonstrated remarkable poise under pressure.

With less than four minutes remaining and Florida pressing hard, Hutson was on the ice defending against a dangerous Panthers line. Earlier in the game, this line had created significant pressure, but Hutson was ready to respond.

During a critical sequence in Montreal`s defensive zone, Hutson skillfully retrieved the puck from below the goal line, preventing a scoring opportunity for Sam Bennett. He then navigated through traffic to disrupt Bennett and subsequently stepped up to neutralize Brad Marchand in the slot, eliminating a key chance for Florida to tie the game.

Shortly after Hutson`s defensive plays, Brendan Gallagher scored an empty-net goal, sealing a 4-2 victory for Montreal.

This win was a significant relief for Gallagher and his teammates, ending a five-game losing streak and putting the Canadiens back into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Despite the high stakes, Hutson showed no signs of stress, maintaining composure throughout the intense moments of the game.

The Canadiens had initially claimed a wild-card spot after a win on March 18th, but the pressure of playoff contention seemed to weigh on the team during a subsequent losing streak.

After close losses and a challenging road trip, the Canadiens managed to regain their footing just in time, culminating in their vital win in Florida.

Juraj Slafkovsky, celebrating his 21st birthday with a goal and an assist in the game, acknowledged the team`s feeling of relief and the importance of the victory.