In the final minutes of what appeared to be a secure victory for the Canadiens against the Islanders, the game took a controversial turn.
Preserving a 3-1 lead with eight minutes left in the 3rd period, Brendan Gallagher delivered a contentious hit on Adam Pelech. Deemed unnecessary and dirty, the hit targeted Pelech's head even after he had lost possession of the puck.
This incident raises concerns about a recurring pattern for Gallagher, who has faced penalties late in games before. Currently, the Islanders capitalized on the ensuing major penalty, scoring two goals to level the game at 3-3, amplifying the impact of Gallagher's actions.
Despite the controversy, the Canadiens ultimately secured a 4-3 regulation-time victory over the Islanders.