Sam Montembeault stops 25 shots in Canadiens' 5-1 win over Blue Jackets

MONTREAL (AP) — Nick Suzuki’s second-period goal held up as the winner in the Montreal Canadiens’ 5-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

Mike Matheson, Lucas Condotta, Jake Evans and Josh Anderson also scored as Montreal won the second of its last three games after a six-game losing skid.

Sam Montembeault made 25 saves in the victory, earning his fifth career win against the Blue Jackets, the most victories he has against a single NHL opponent.

Dante Fabbro was the lone scorer for Columbus. It was his first goal with the Blue Jackets since being claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators on Sunday. Daniil Tarasov made 25 saves as Columbus dropped its seventh decision in eight games.

Montreal was 1 for 3 on the power play. The Canadiens have scored at least one power-play goal in each of their six wins this season.

The Habs honored former captain Shea Weber before the puck drop. Weber was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night.

Blue Jackets: Columbus allowed at least five goals in a game for the fifth time this season.

Canadiens: Montreal won its sixth straight regular-season game over Columbus dating back to Nov. 23, 2022. Over that span, the Canadiens have outscored the Blue Jackets 27-9.

With the teams tied 1-1 late in the second period, Suzuki took a feed from Joel Armia at center ice before entering the offensive zone and firing a snap shot past the glove of Tarasov for his seventh goal of the season.

Matheson’s tally was the first power-play goal scored by a Canadiens defenseman this season and first overall since Jan. 20, 2024, also scored by Matheson, in Boston.

The Canadiens host the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. The Blue Jackets visit the Boston Bruins on Monday.

___

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL