(Columbus) The Canadiens once again paid dearly for their mistakes.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were the most productive on a four-goal streak within a 1:50 range in 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 committed a lot of turnovers and allowed at least four goals in a third game in a row.
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 (3-0-1).
The Canadiens will play their next game on Saturday, when they host the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre.
Repeated cannon shots
The visitors got off to a good start but the Blue Jackets halted their momentum with a lucky goal.
Sillinger opened the scoring after 7:28 of play in 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.
Montembeault was helpless, however, when Nyquist was overlooked 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.
The Canadian found his bearings in the second period and his efforts were rewarded at 13:35. A long presence of Habs support staff 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 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.
Kuraly gave the Blue Jackets the lead again at 10:09 with a fine individual effort, then Olivier made it 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 within a goal of their rivals.
Kuraly finally delivered the knockout blow by scoring in an empty net with 2:13 remaining on the clock.