Suzuki scores in OT to give the Canadiens a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Nick Suzuki scored 44 seconds into overtime and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 on Wednesday night, snapping a two-game skid.

Juraj Slafkovsky had a goal and an assist, Cole Caufield added a power-play goal and Emil Heineman also scored. Cayden Primeau made 21 saves for Montreal (8-11-3).

Mathieu Olivier and Yegor Chinakhov scored for Columbus (9-9-3). Zach Werenski had a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, an assist and a fight. Elvis Merzlikins made 19 saves.

Canadiens: Despite playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road, the Canadiens skated hard and rallied when they needed to before securing the win in overtime.

Blue Jackets: Columbus squandered the lead twice as its three-game win streak ended.

Kent Johnson lost an edge while skating up the ice in overtime, leading to an odd-man rush. Suzuki then buried his own rebound for the winning goal.

Werenski’s assist on Olivier’s goal was his eighth in six games, tying Bryan Berard for the longest streak by a Blue Jackets defenseman. Werenski leads the team with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists). His 21 points in 21 games rank third among NHL defensemen this season.

The Canadiens visit the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon, while the Blue Jackets host Calgary on Friday afternoon.

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