Canadiens Edge Senators in Thrilling 3-2 Victory

The Montreal Canadiens secured a narrow 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on March 11, 2026, at the Canadian Tire Centre. Juraj Slafkovský scored for the Canadiens, contributing to a game marked by intense competition and momentum shifts.

Game Summary

The Canadiens took an early lead with a goal from Juraj Slafkovský, assisted by Ivan Děmidov and Nick Suzuki, just two minutes into the game. The Senators responded with goals from Drake Batherson (assisted by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle) and Tim Stützle (assisted by Batherson and Claude Giroux) to capture a 2-1 lead. However, Montreal battled back, with Alexandre Texier tying the game in the second period, assisted by Lane Hutson and Jake Evans. The game-winning goal came from Ivan Děmidov in the third period, assisted by Alex Newhook and Kaiden Guhle.

Key Moments

• Early Lead: Juraj Slafkovský opened the scoring for the Canadiens, setting an early tone for the game.
• Senators Respond: Ottawa quickly answered with two goals, briefly taking the lead.
• Texier Ties It Up: Alexandre Texier’s goal in the second period leveled the score.
• Děmidov’s Winner: Ivan Děmidov’s goal in the third period proved to be the decisive moment.

Statistical Overview

The final score was 3-2 in favor of the Montreal Canadiens. The game saw a total of 3 penalties for Ottawa and 4 for Montreal, with one powerplay goal scored by Montreal. The shot count was not detailed in available sources.

Player Performances

Juraj Slafkovský’s goal was a significant contribution for the Canadiens. Key players for Ottawa included Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle, who both found the back of the net. Ivan Děmidov also had a strong performance for Montreal, scoring the game-winning goal.

Looking Ahead

This victory positions the Montreal Canadiens well in the Eastern Conference standings, currently holding the 5th position. The Ottawa Senators remain 10th in the East. Both teams will gaze to build on their performances in upcoming games.