(Columbus) The Canadian played a second close match in as many evenings and he was rewarded this time.
Posted at 10:31 p.m.
Nick Suzuki scored 44 seconds into overtime and the Montreal hockey club defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 on Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena.
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View the meeting summary
Suzuki scored on his own return, after he caused a turnover by bringing down Kent Johnson at the Habs blue line.
The Canadian also put up a good battle against Utah HC on Tuesday evening at the Bell Center, before losing 3-2 in overtime.
After a flight in the dead of night to Columbus, the Habs erased two one-goal deficits and won for the first time in a tiebreaker this season.
Juraj Slafkovsky had a goal and an assist, while Cole Caufield and Emil Heineman also scored for the Canadian (8-11-3), who won a seventh straight game against the Blue Jackets. Cayden Primeau made 21 saves.
Zach Werenski collected a goal and an assist, while Mathieu Olivier and Yegor Chinakhov also moved the strings for the Blue Jackets (9-9-3), who had won their three previous games. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 19 shots.
The Habs were without Mike Matheson for a second game in a row. The Montreal defender is injured in his lower body and his state of health is reassessed on a daily basis.
The Canadian will play two matches in the afternoon this weekend. He will visit the New York Rangers on Saturday, then the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
A good battle
The Blue Jackets quickly threatened, as Ivan Provorov reached the post during the first minute of play.
The Canadian then threatened on the power play, but he lacked precision when he was able to take dangerous shots.
Merzlikins also stood out by stopping shots from Caufield and Alex Newhook in quick succession.
The Blue Jackets finally scored first at 9:08 of the first period. Olivier briefly escaped the coverage of Justin Barron and took advantage of a delivery from Werenski to beat Primeau.
The Canadian responded at 13:00. Slafkovsky surprised Merzlikins with a high shot during a two-on-one attack after a turnover in the neutral zone.
It was Slafkovsky’s second goal this season and his first since October 14. He ended a 15-game goalless drought.
The Blue Jackets also started the second period strong. Sean Monahan hit the crossbar on the power play, then Primeau had to be alert to frustrate Werenski.
Chinakhov finally gave the Blue Jackets the lead again at 4:27. He easily passed Jayden Struble after receiving a pass from Adam Fantilli, then beat Primeau by aiming from the side of the shield.
Once again, the Canadian responded relatively quickly. Caufield was able to escape on the power play and beat Merzlikins with a low shot at 6:34.
Merzlikins kept his team in the game afterwards by frustrating Josh Anderson, who appeared alone in front of him thanks to a perfect lob from Kirby Dach behind the opposing defenders.
Heineman finally gave the Canadian the lead for the first time in the match after 8:24 of play in the third period. He got past defender Damon Severson and beat Merzlikins with a backhand shot.
However, Werenski brought everyone back to square one with 7:38 remaining, when his throw to the front of the net deflected off the skate of defenseman Kaiden Guhle before crossing the goal line.
Primeau forced a tiebreaker with a spectacular glove save against Zach Aston-Reese late in the third period.
Suzuki finally decided in overtime.
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