Sam Montembeault, Canadiens blank visiting Hurricanes

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 regulation win over Carolina 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 tipped in Jayden Struble's shot from the left point. Laine made it 2-0 with 2:23 left in the first period when his tip of Alexandre Carrier's shot deflected in off Carolina defenseman Jalen Chatfield and Riley Stillman. It was the second goal in two games for Slavkovsky and Laine.

The Canadiens' Arber Xhekaj shot wide on a breakaway with a little more than four minutes remaining in the opening period. He picked up an errant pass after coming out of the penalty box as his penalty time expired.

Montembault made a point-blank save on Jackson Blake 8:24 into the second period.

Suzuki made it 3-0 midway through the second with a power-play goal. He beat Andersen with a wrist shot from the right circle with 9:56 left in the middle period. It was the first-ever goal against the Hurricanes by Suzuki, who is in his sixth NHL season. Cole Caufield got the second assist for his 200th career point.

Montembault came across the crease to make a big save on Chatfield's shot from the slot with a little more than 11:40 left.

Hutson's power-play goal made it 4-0 with 9:38 left on a one-time slap shot from the left point.

Montreal was without center Kirby Dach because of 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.

--Field Level Media