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Game Recap: Columbus Scores Late to Beat Struggling Canadiens

By Savannah Deuer

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 12: Patrik Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his power play goal with teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 12: Patrik Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his power play goal with teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Columbus Blue Jackets scored very late in the 3rd period Saturday afternoon to defeat the Montreal Canadiens.

The game was tied at 1 late in the 3rd period. Columbus was given a man advantage at the 1:27 mark, when Jeff Petry was called for a tripping penalty. 

The Blue Jackets stayed in the Montreal zone for most of the power play, and had four shots in the roughly ninety-seconds that remained in the game. Two of those shots were blocked, but the most important play of the game happened with only eight seconds left.

Patrik Laine scored his twelfth goal of the season late in today’s game, beating Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault to secure the victory for Columbus.

Zach Werenski was given credit for the first assist, with Jakub Voracek receiving recognition for the second assist. While Laine had been inconsistent during his time as a Blue Jacket, he has become a staple of Columbus’ offense.

Prior to the game-winning goal by Laine, the game was not overly exciting past the first three opening minutes. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored very early on, at the 1:16 mark, with the first assist going to, unsurprisingly, Patrik Laine. Both teams had solid shots throughout the first and second periods, with Columbus eventually outshooting the Canadiens 42-31. The CBJ led in almost all measurable categories, with the exceptions being face-off wins and blocks.

The Blue Jackets led 1-0 entering the third period, and Montreal avoided the shutout with a goal by Cole Caufield almost three minutes into the period. It looked as though the game was going to overtime before Laine put a slap shot on goal that whizzed past Montembeault.

Columbus improved to 23-22-1 with today’s victory. The Jackets are now on a three-game winning streak, and will look to add to that tally on February 15th, when they travel to Calgary to take on the Flames.

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