Pro Sports

Canadiens rout Panthers 10-2 in regular-season finale

Posted April 29, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher, left, and Chris Wideman, top, congratulate Jordan Harris for his gola against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 29, 2022, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

MONTREAL (AP) - Cole Caufield had his first NHL hat trick and the Montreal Canadiens routed the Presidents' Trophy champion Florida Panthers 10-2 on Friday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

As Tyler Pitlick netted Montreal's 10th goal, 'œGuy! Guy! Guy!'ť chants rained from the Bell Centre rafters honoring late Habs great Guy Lafleur - who wore No. 10.

'œI think it's crazy that we scored 10 goals tonight,'ť Caufield said 'œYou can't make this stuff up, everything happens for a reason.'ť

The meaning echoed on the other side of the ice, too.

'œThat was my dad's favorite player and for a lot of people in that generation it was all about Guy,'ť Panthers coach Andrew Brunette said. 'œToo bad we lost him so early but what a hockey player he was. You don't find too many Guys, but I wish we didn't give up 10.'ť

Carey Price made 37 saves in his 700th career start for his first victory of the season.

'œIt means everything to us,'ť Caufield said about Price's victory. 'œHe's the backbone of our team, he's the guy you want to play for. To have him in the room every day, it was just something special and you just feel the energy he brings no matter if he's excited or not."

Florida's Jonas Johansson allowed 10 goals on 37 shots.

The Canadiens (22-49-11) scored on their first three shots. Jordan Harris had his first career goal to open the spree, Mike Hoffman tapped in a loose puck in the crease and Caufield scored on a wrist shot.

Brendan Gallagher, Mathieu Perreault, Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak also scored for Montreal.

Ben Chiarot and Noel Acciari scored for Florida (58-18-6).

Florida Panthers goaltender Jonas Johansson deflects a shot by Montreal Canadiens' Ryan Poehling during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 29, 2022, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

A spotlight highlights the retired number of Guy Lafleur as the Montreal Canadiens played the Florida Panthers during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 29, 2022, in Montreal. Funeral services for the former Canadiens player who died of cancer will be held Tuesday. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Montreal Canadiens celebrate a victory over the Florida Panthers in an NHL hockey game on the last night of the regular season, Friday, April 29, 2022, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield looks up at the replay of his third goal against the Florida Panthers for a hat trick, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 29, 2022, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

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