Suzuki Ignites Canadiens’ Victory, Blue Jackets Left in the Cold

In a thrilling NHL showdown on Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens, powered by a decisive second-period goal from Nick Suzuki, enjoyed a resounding 5-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets. With additional goals by Mike Matheson, Lucas Condotta, Jake Evans, and Josh Anderson, Montreal has now claimed the second win in their last trio of games, following a challenging six-game losing streak.

Montembeault’s Wall of Defense

Sam Montembeault, the Canadiens goaltender, was an unyielding force on the ice, turning away 25 shots to secure the victory. This performance marks Montembeault’s fifth win against the Blue Jackets – more than against any other NHL team in his career.

Meanwhile, the only Blue Jackets’ player to find the net was Dante Fabbro, registering his first goal since his transition from the Nashville Predators earlier in the week. Columbus’ goaltender, Daniil Tarasov, matched Montembeault with 25 saves, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Columbus from suffering their seventh loss in eight games.

Power Play Prowess

The Canadiens made good use of their power play opportunities, converting 1 out of 3 chances. This continues their streak of scoring a power-play goal in each of their victories this season.

An emotional moment before the game saw the Canadiens pay tribute to former captain Shea Weber, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame earlier in the week.

Takeaways and Highlights

The Blue Jackets continue to show defensive vulnerabilities, conceding five or more goals for the fifth time this season. On the other hand, Montreal seems to have found their rhythm against Columbus, with this victory marking their sixth consecutive regular-season win dating back to November 2023, outscoring the Blue Jackets 27-9 over this period.

The Deciding Moment

With the game poised at 1-1 late in the second period, it was Suzuki who tilted the balance in Montreal’s favor. Receiving a pass from Joel Armia at center ice, Suzuki launched an offensive assault, firing a snap shot past Tarasov’s glove for his seventh goal of the season.

A Milestone for Matheson

Matheson’s goal marked a significant achievement – the first power-play goal by a Canadiens defenseman this season, and his first since January 2024.

What’s Next?

The Canadiens will return to their home ice on Monday to face the Edmonton Oilers, while the Blue Jackets travel to meet the Boston Bruins.