The Canadian paid dearly for his mistakes early in the game, then ran out of resources afterwards in an attacking fest.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were the most productive on a four-goal streak within 1:50 of the third period and defeated Montreal 6-4 Thursday night at Nationwide Arena. Goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo also had his say in this victory for the Blue Jackets, who are deprived of several important elements. He made 38 saves.
The Canadian once again showed character by erasing a two-goal deficit after the first period. However, he eventually allowed at least four goals in a third game in a row. “I think the first period was our worst period of the season,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis. We were lucky it was only 2-0. »
“During the second period, I was convinced that we were not going to lose this match, because we regained control. We spent a lot of time in their zone and generated a lot of chances. But it’s not an easy league and when you start late it’s going to hurt you,” added the coach.
Nick Suzuki and Brendan Gallagher each scored a goal and an assist, while Josh Anderson and Jordan Harris also moved the ropes for the Canadian (8-8-1). Christian Dvorak had two assists and Samuel Montembeault stopped 23 shots. For the Blue Jackets (6-9-1), Sean Kuraly had two goals and an assist, while Gustav Nyquist, Mathieu Olivier, Cole Sillinger and Boone Jenner also hit the target.
The Canadian suffered a second loss in a row, while the Blue Jackets collected at least one point in a fourth game in a row.
The Canadiens will play their next game on Saturday, when they host the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre.
Repeated cannon shots
Despite a good start to the visitors’ game, the Blue Jackets managed to dampen their momentum with a lucky goal.
Sillinger opened the scoring 7:28 into the first period. Montembeault stopped his throw, but the disc then bounced against Harris before crossing the goal line.
Sillinger’s shot was only the Blue Jackets’ second, as the Canadian had seven shots on goal.
The Blue Jackets then had the wind in their sails. Liam Foudy and Yegor Chinakhov escaped in turn. Foudy was unable to shoot, while Montembeault stopped Chinakhov’s attempt. The Canadiens’ goalie, however, was powerless when Nyquist was forgotten to his left. The Swede scored his third goal of the campaign with 3:41 left in the first period.
Jenner could have increased the gap to three goals before the end of the first period, but he hit the crossbar on another home side breakaway.
Martin St-Louis’ men found their bearings in the second period and their efforts were rewarded at 1:35 p.m. A long presence of Habs support players in the opposing zone finally led to Harris’ first goal of the season.
Then, Anderson tied the game with 2.1 seconds left in the second period, during a power play. He scored moments after a face-off to the right of Korpisalo.
The goals then followed at breakneck speed in the third period.
Jenner gave the Blue Jackets a 3-2 lead at 6:36, but Gallagher tied the game at 9:27. Then Kuraly gave the Blue Jackets the lead again at 10:09 with a fine individual effort, while Olivier widened the gap to 5-3 just 60 seconds later.
Those who thought that Olivier’s goal would break the back of the Canadian were surprised. Suzuki scored just eight seconds later, bringing the Habs to just one goal behind their rivals.
It was finally Kuraly who delivered the coup de grace by scoring in an empty net with 2:13 to go.
Locker Room Echoes
Brendan Gallagher did not want to use the youth of the group as an excuse to explain the bad start to the meeting.
“That would be being too nice to us. We have expectations of ourselves and we say them because we believe in them. It’s not okay not to be mentally ready like we were in the first half, except for our goalkeeper. It’s a hard lesson, but we have to learn it. And our group has shown so far that they are good at learning and bouncing back. »
For his part, goaltender Samuel Montembeault blamed himself for having hesitated to harpoon the puck on Sean Kuraly’s first goal, the Blue Jackets’ fourth.
“That’s why I was beaten. If I’m going 100%, don’t hesitate… It caused me to be late and I got beaten to the side. »
Nick Suzuki admitted that some Canadiens players may have taken the Blue Jackets lightly.
“We can’t be happy with our start to the game. I think we thought it would be easy because of their injuries. »