Sam Montembeault made 20 saves for his fifth career shutout and fourth of the season, while Patrik Laine and Nick Suzuki each had a goal and two assists in the Montreal Canadiens’ 4-0 win over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson also scored for the Canadiens in their first home game in 15 days. It was Montreal’s first win over Carolina in regulation time since Dec. 13, 2018.
Frederik Andersen made 14 saves for the Hurricanes in his first start since Feb. 6.
Slavkovsky opened the scoring 8:05 into the game when he deflected a shot by Jayden Struble from the left point. Laine made it 2-0 with 2:23 left in the first period when he deflected a shot from Alexandre Carrier and it bounced off Carolina defenders Jalen Chatfield and Riley Stillman. It was the second goal in two games for Slavkovsky and Laine.
Canadiens player Arber Xhekaj shot wide on a breakaway with just over four minutes left in the first period. He received a deflected pass after exiting the box as his penalty time expired.
Montembault made a point-blank save against Jackson Blake at 8:24 of the second period.
Suzuki made it 3-0 midway through the second period with a power-play goal. He beat Andersen with a wrist shot from the right circle with 9:56 left in the second period. It was Suzuki’s first goal against the Hurricanes, who are in their sixth NHL season. Cole Caufield picked up the second assist for his 200th career point.
Montembault stepped to the crease to make a big save on Chatfield’s shot from the box with just over 11:40 remaining.
Hutson’s power-play goal made it 4-0 with 9:38 remaining on a one-timer from the left point.
Montreal was without centre Kirby Dach due to a lower-body injury. The Canadiens’ Josh Anderson left the game midway through the third period after falling awkwardly into the boards and being helped off the ice.