MONTREAL — A decisive goal by Nick Suzuki during the second period proved crucial in the Montreal Canadiens’ commanding 5-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday evening.
Montreal showcased a solid offensive performance with additional goals from Mike Matheson, Lucas Condotta, Jake Evans, and Josh Anderson. This win marked a turnaround for the Canadiens, who managed to secure their second victory in three games after enduring a six-game losing streak.
Sam Montembeault was instrumental in this win, blocking 25 shots and securing his fifth career win against the Blue Jackets—his highest number of wins against any single NHL team.
Columbus’s only goal came from Dante Fabbro, marking his first score since joining the Blue Jackets after being picked up off waivers from the Nashville Predators the previous week. Goalie Daniil Tarasov also made 25 saves, but it was another tough night for the Blue Jackets, who have now lost seven of their last eight games.
The Canadiens successfully converted 1 of 3 power play opportunities, continuing a trend where they have tallied at least one power-play goal in each of their six wins this season.
Prior to the game, the Canadiens paid tribute to former captain Shea Weber, commemorating his recent induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Key observations from the match indicate that the Blue Jackets have now allowed five or more goals in a game five times this season. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have extended their winning streak against Columbus in the regular season to six games, outscoring them a remarkable 27-9 during this stretch dating back to November 2022.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the score was tied 1-1 late in the second period. Suzuki received a pass from Joel Armia at center ice before he swiftly maneuvered into the offensive zone and unleashed a powerful snap shot that found the net, marking his seventh goal of the season.
In a notable statistic, Mike Matheson’s goal not only marked his first power-play score of the season but was also significant as the first power-play goal by a Canadiens defenseman for the year. This achievement had not been seen since January 20, 2024, when Matheson also registered the last defenseman power-play goal in a game against Boston.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens will be back in action at home against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, while the Blue Jackets will take on the Boston Bruins away the same day.