Bolduc’s Game-Winner Leads Canadiens to 2-1 Victory Over Blue Jackets

Zachary Bolduc found the back of the net for the first time since December 23, scoring the decisive goal as the Montreal Canadiens edged the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Thursday night. The victory marks the Canadiens’ third consecutive win, showcasing their resilience and determination as they push through the final stretch of the season.

Jayden Struble also made headlines by scoring his first goal of the season, while goaltender Jakub Dobes stood tall with 25 saves, helping secure the win for Montreal. The Canadiens now sit in third place in the Atlantic Division, a promising position as they head into the final 11 games of the season.

Columbus, meanwhile, saw Damon Severson score in the matchup, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Canadiens. Jet Greaves, in net for the Blue Jackets, stopped 18 shots but faced a relentless Montreal offense.

The Blue Jackets have had a remarkable turnaround under head coach Rick Bowness, who replaced Dean Evason on January 12. Since that change, Columbus has climbed from the 28th spot overall to second in the Metropolitan Division, boasting an impressive record of 19-4-4.

Bolduc’s game-winning goal came at a crucial moment, as he unleashed a powerful shot into the top-left corner just 4:36 into the third period, breaking a 31-game goalless stretch. Earlier in the game, Struble opened the scoring at 9:54 of the first period, sneaking a wrist shot past Greaves for his first goal since November 26, 2024. Just two minutes later, Severson answered back for Columbus, beating Dobes blocker-side during a 2-on-1 opportunity after Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was caught up ice.

In addition to his goal, Hutson assisted on Struble’s score, making history as he became the fourth defenseman in Canadiens history to amass 70 points in a single season, joining the ranks of legends like Chris Chelios, Larry Robinson, and Guy Lapointe.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets will host the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, while the Canadiens are set to visit the Nashville Predators on the same day, both teams eager to continue their respective pursuits in the playoff race.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.