Canadians, Blue Jackets open season series in Columbus on Monday
Kirill Marchenko scored the decisive goal in a shootout, giving the Columbus Blue Jackets a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. The win extended Columbus’s point streak to five games, highlighting their growing momentum this season.
Blue Jackets Strike Early
Zach Werenski opened the scoring for Columbus 6:58 into the first period with a shot from the edge of the left circle. The Blue Jackets gained early control, showcasing sharp passes and quick offensive transitions.
Montreal responded in the second period as Oliver Kapanen tied the score 1-1 with a clean finish from the slot off Mike Matheson’s assist from behind the goal line.
Columbus Pulls Ahead
Columbus regained momentum in the second period. Adam Fantilli scored at 9:47 from in front, giving the Blue Jackets a 2-1 advantage.
Later, Dmitri Voronkov extended the lead with a power-play goal at 6:28, deflecting a Marchenko pass past Montreal’s goaltender. Columbus appeared in control, leading 3-1 after two periods.
Canadiens Stage a Comeback
Montreal fought back in the third period. Josh Anderson cut the deficit with a goal at 8:28, closing in from the left side.
With just 1:19 remaining, Lane Hutson tied the game 3-3, beating goaltender Jet Greaves from above the left circle through traffic. The Canadiens forced overtime despite being outshot 6-0 during the extra period.
Shootout Drama
In the shootout, Kent Johnson scored first for Columbus, followed by Marchenko’s decisive goal in the third round.
Greaves preserved the win with a critical save on Ivan Demidov’s attempt, sealing the 4-3 victory. Montreal’s Cole Caufield also scored in the tiebreaker, but it was not enough to overcome Columbus.
Key Performances
- Columbus: Jet Greaves stopped 29 shots, Marchenko scored the shootout winner, Werenski and Voronkov each contributed goals and assists.
- Montreal: Jakub Dobes made 20 saves, while Hutson, Anderson, and Kapanen each scored in regulation.
Columbus now boasts a five-game point streak (3-0-2), while Montreal has lost four straight games and six of seven (1-3-3).
Momentum and Outlook
Columbus’s ability to pull away early and survive Montreal’s comeback reflects their resilience. Marchenko’s clutch performance underscores the team’s offensive depth.
For Montreal, the Canadiens’ late rally shows fight, but their inability to maintain leads continues to be a concern. The loss marks a challenging stretch for the team, emphasizing the need for consistency in regulation play.
