Canadiens 5, Blue Jackets 3
Tomas Plekanec netted the game-winner with 1:07 left in the third period and defenseman Andrei Markov collected a goal and an assist as host Montreal edged Columbus to run its winning streak to four games.
Plekanec skated down the slot and tried to send a hard pass to the left but instead saw the puck glance off Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray’s skate and past Sergei Bobrovsky. Plekanec added an empty-netter with 16 seconds left and Rene Bourque and Michael Bournival each tallied for the Canadiens, who received 30 saves from Carey Price.
Boone Jenner notched his first career goal on a power play in the second period and tied it up with the man-advantage in the third as Columbus battled back from a three-goal deficit. Ryan Johansen recorded a goal and an assist and Bobrovsky made 31 saves for the Blue Jackets, who dropped their third straight.
Reigning Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban found Bourque with a long pass for a breakaway power-play tally 4:38 into the contest and Markov shuffled a pass across the slot to the right faceoff circle for Bournival, who one-timed it past Bobrovsky for his first career goal just 7:23 later. Markov’s unassisted short-handed tally 6:52 into the second gave Montreal a 3-0 lead.
Jenner got Columbus on the board 49 seconds later, cutting through traffic in front of the net to stuff a rebound past Price. Johansen put away a 2-on-1 chance with 2:49 left in the second and the Blue Jackets tied it 4:35 into the third, with Jenner flipping a backhander over a sprawled Price.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Columbus was missing RW Marian Gaborik (flu-like symptoms) and LW Nick Foligno (personal). … Canadiens LW Max Pacioretty (left leg) was scratched and is day-to-day. … Subban, who recorded two assists, has at least one point in six straight games.