By Adama – April 15, 2025
In a game filled with youthful energy, late-game drama, and breakout performances, the Chicago Blackhawks pulled off a stunning 4–3 overtime shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens — sending shockwaves through the Bell Centre and possibly delaying Montreal’s playoff ambitions.
Despite being one of the league’s bottom dwellers this season, the Blackhawks came into Monday night’s contest with a chip on their shoulder, and they played like it.
Youth Movement Shows Promise
With head coach Anders Sorensen giving significant ice time to his young core, the Blackhawks showcased their rebuild-in-progress. Standouts like Sam Rinzel, Frank Nazar, and of course Connor Bedard played critical roles, driving the pace and forcing the Canadiens onto their heels.
In net, Arvid Söderblom was spectacular, particularly during a tense overtime and shootout period. He finished with 34 saves and stopped all three Canadiens shooters in the shootout, including a key stop on Nick Suzuki that sealed the victory.
"You can see the hunger in these young guys," Sorensen said postgame. "They want to prove they belong — and nights like tonight are steps in the right direction."
Momentum Swings and Missed Opportunities
The Canadiens, led by Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Cole Caufield, came out with energy but were continually frustrated by Söderblom’s glove and the Blackhawks’ counterattack.
Montreal took a 2–1 lead early in the third period, but Tyler Bertuzzi equalized on the power play with a sharp one-timer from the right circle, scoring his 10th goal of the season. That goal proved crucial, as it brought the Hawks back into the game and shifted momentum in their favor.
Later, Lucas Reichel gave the Blackhawks a brief 3–2 lead with a blistering wrist shot after a slick feed from Seth Jones. But Montreal answered quickly with a goal from Slafkovsky, forcing overtime.
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Shootout Tension: Söderblom Steals the Show
The shootout was all about Arvid Söderblom. Calm, calculated, and quick with the glove, he turned away dangerous attempts from Suzuki, Caufield, and newcomer Ivan Demidov. On the other end, Connor Bedard, cool as ever, scored with a silky backhand move to give Chicago the edge.
“He’s ice,” Bedard said when asked about Söderblom. “Just ice in his veins.”
The 4–3 win marked Chicago’s first shootout victory in over a month and served as a morale boost for a team focused on long-term development.
Montreal Falters at a Crucial Juncture
For the Canadiens, the loss is a tough blow. With playoff hopes still hanging in the balance, failing to put away the Blackhawks — the league’s last-place team — could prove costly. The game exposed some defensive lapses, lack of finish on power plays, and inconsistency that’s haunted them all season.
“We had our chances,” coach Martin St. Louis said. “We just didn’t bury them. And when you leave the door open in this league, someone kicks it down.”
Rebuilding or Reawakening?
Though Chicago’s place in the standings may not reflect it, games like this suggest a bright future for the franchise. With young talent flourishing and key veterans mentoring the next generation, the foundation is being laid — even if the wins are rare.
The Canadiens, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly if they hope to clinch a postseason berth.