Sabres - The Buffalo News
National Hockey League
Vancouver 4, Montreal 3
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Referees: Brian Pochmara, Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen: Shandor Alphonso, Steve Barton
Attendance: 21187

Newcomer Tyler Toffoli scored 1:35 into overtime and the Vancouver Canucks overcame an early two-goal deficit to earn their first road win against the Montreal Canadiens in more than eight years, 4-3, on Tuesday night.

Acquired from Los Angeles shortly before Monday's trade deadline, Toffoli went high past Carey Price (30 saves) for his third goal in three games with the Canucks, who snapped a three-game road slide by improving to 4-1-1 in the last six.

Bo Horvat scored his 20th of the season and assisted on Toffoli's winner, and Thatcher Demko made 37 saves in place of the injured Jacob Markstrom for Vancouver, which also ended an eight-game overall skid against the Canadiens.

Vancouver's last win in Montreal came on Dec. 8, 2011. It could be a big boost for a club very much in the mix for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Montreal, meanwhile, dropped to 2-4-2 in its last eight.

Just 50 seconds into the third period, Jordan Weal got position in front of the net and broke a 2-2 tie by sending the puck past Demko.

Vancouver, though, tied it when Jake Virtanen flipped one by Price to tie the game 3-3 at 5:53 into the third with his team's second power-play goal of the night, and 53rd of the season.

Paul Byron put Montreal up 1-0 with his second goal in as many games 5:59 into the contest. Max Domi earned the assist with his cross-slot pass that Byron buried.

It was less than two minutes later that the Canadiens made it 2-0 courtesy of a patented blast from Shea Weber at the right point for this 15th goal of the season. Weber has scored four times over his last five games versus Vancouver.

The Canucks woke up late in the opening period, though, as Horvat ripped his own shot from just inside the circle and past Price for a power-play goal with 4:03 to go in the opener. In the process, Vancouver star rookie defenseman Quinn Hughes registered his 50th point and sixth assist over four games.

Alexander Edler's long wrister with 4:24 left in the middle period tied the game at 2-2.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Vancouver   Montreal
Alexander Edler 2 Points Max Domi 2
Alexander Edler 1 Goals Paul Byron 1
Adam Gaudette 2 Assists Max Domi 2
Bo Horvat 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Thatcher Demko .925 Save Percentage Carey Price .882
Thatcher Demko 37 Saves Carey Price 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Vancouver 34 4 2-2 1-1 2 30
Montreal 40 3 0-1 0-2 4 27
Upcoming Games
  • Montreal will play their next game at home against NY Rangers. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .467 after a win and .429 after a loss.
  • Vancouver will play their next game on the road against Ottawa. The Canucks have a W/L % of .606 after a win and .483 after a loss.