The Columbus Blue Jackets got their first success at the Montreal Canadiens since being eliminated by them at the end of last season. Despite blowing a two-goal lead in the third period, they were able to prevail after regular regulation.
Kirill Marchenko recorded two assists and extended his point streak to 12 games, while scoring the shootout winner. Jet Greaves made 29 saves to assist the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Canadiens.
The story of this game was finding a way to win despite another late lead.
Summary of the game
The game started in favor of the Blue Jackets. They had an early lead of 7-1. Then Zach Werenski found himself in an unusual situation. He was alone in the slot.
Werenski took his time and beat Jakub Dobes with his patented wrist shot to open the scoring. From that point on, the Canadiens found their feet and evened things out. Shots in the first were 10-8 for the Blue Jackets.
The Canadiens carried that momentum into the second period and tied the game. Oliver Kapanen was in front of Greaves’ net. Mike Matheson found him with his pass. The score was 1-1.
The Blue Jackets then got a great shift from Charlie Coyle’s line with Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier. They got the momentum back and the rest of the team fed off of it. It ultimately allowed the Blue Jackets to take the lead.
Adam Fantilli scored his fourth goal in five games after a great move from Marchenko to make it 2-1. Then Marchenko was on a power play again. He mistook Dmitri Voronkov for Dobes. His pass found Voronkov, who deflected the ball for a 3-1 lead.
The Canadiens then advanced into the third inning and managed to tie the game. First, Josh Anderson was in the right place. He managed to get the puck out of the air and deposit it near the Blue Jackets’ net. He placed it in the open side.
For the third time this season, the Blue Jackets allowed a 5-on-6 goal. With Dobes drawn, Lane Hutson made it 3-3.
Overtime was required. Although the Canadiens dominated the OT with a 6-0 lead, Greaves shut them down.
The Blue Jackets got goals from Kent Johnson and Marchenko to earn the extra point. Cole Caufield scored the only goal of the shootout for the Canadiens. Dobes finished the night with 20 saves.
The Blue Jackets now head west and play a tough back-to-back game against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. As for the Canadiens, they’ll head home and get a few days off before hosting the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
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