Mikhail Sergachev Is OT Hero for Utah HC in 3-2 Win Over Canadiens – Hockey Writers – NHL News

After a tough fight with Brendan Gallagher late in the third period of Tuesday's (Nov. 26) game in Montreal, Utah Hockey Club's Mikhail Sergachev got the last laugh. He scored at 4:33 of overtime to give Utah a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens at the Bell Centre.

Utah Plays Tough Defense

The Utah Hockey Club has not earned the reputation this season of being the toughest team to beat. Going into Tuesday's game, there were 22^n.d in the NHL with 3.19 goals against per game, and 16^th with 619 shots on target (or a 29.47 average).

Related: Utah HC: Has Nick Schmaltz Lost His Scoring Touch?

Utah stepped up its defensive game against Montreal. They limited their opponents to just eight shots on target in 40 minutes. Then again, the host Canadiens didn't do themselves any favors by being called for four penalties.

Although the visitors failed to capitalize on any of those chances at that point, they opened the scoring at 6:23 seconds after the power play. With the Canadiens still skating with four players in their own zone, Utah drove the puck after a near miss. Clayton Keller, who was on the board, found a wide open Dylan Guenther on the other side of the slot, fed the puck to his teammate, and they were down one time for a 1-0 lead. It was 10 for Guenther^th campaign goal.

The advantage didn't last long, as Jaden Struble scored for the second straight game at 8:05. Montreal applied decent pressure in the Utah zone, and all the skating and passing of the puck eventually allowed Struble to get close to the rim for a shot.

Speaking of those Montrealers sent to the sin bin, David Savard was given a 10 minute misbehavior after the siren to end the ringing of the middle frame. It is clear that the referees did not treat him well.

Third Time Goals and Fisticuffs

The clubs quickly traded goals in the third period. Forward Alex Newhook put the home team ahead 2-1 at 0:46 by glancing the puck in front of Karel Vejmekla's net after it was deflected behind by Christian Dvorak. Notably, it was only 10 in Montreal^th shot into the net.

However, Utah responded in kind at 4:17 when a two-on-one allowed Logan Cooley to slide the puck onto the stick of Jack McBain, who fired a shot past Samuel Montembeault. It was his third mark in four games.

Things got tense with about six minutes left when others post-whistle scrums came up. Despite the tension, the 2-2 deadlock remains. More time will be needed.

The extra session almost ended when, at 4:33, Sergachev went in front of the Montreal net as Jake Evans covered him. Nick Schmaltz's pass from the right found the mark as Sergachev scored the game-winner. As Utah's Twitter account posted, “Winner, winner, poutine dinner.”

Utah returns home to face the Edmonton Oilers on Friday (Nov. 29). Montreal is changing fast. They will be in Columbus to play the Blue Jackets on Wednesday (Nov. 27).