In Montreal, the Winnipeg Jets got a solid performance from across the bench and handed the Canadiens a 4-2 loss on Monday night.
Winnipeg’s Evgeny Svechnikov scored with 11 minutes left in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie.
Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves in the Jets win.
Winnipeg improved to 35-28-11.
“We’re in desperation mode right now, and it would be no different if we were in a playoff series and we were going back to back,” Winnipeg coach Dave Lowry said. “That was the conversation that we had and understanding that we have to win every game here and just take care of business each and every night.”
The victory pulled the Jets to within five points of the idle Dallas Stars for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Montreal’s Joel Armia broke the ice with 29 seconds gone in the middle frame for a 1-0 lead.
The lead last less than 90 seconds when Winnipeg tied it off a goal from Morgan Barron.
“We need to win a lot of games down the stretch if we want to get into the [Stanley Cup Playoffs],” Barron said. “I think everyone’s mindset is still getting in and going on a run here. So we’re taking it one game at a time, but just to come out with two points in a game like that, it’s huge for us.”
The Jets pulled ahead off a strike from Paul Stastny for the 2-1 advantage.
Montreal has lost six of their eight matches, they dropped to 20-42-11.
The Habs’ Josh Anderson tied it at 6″19 of the third.
Winnipeg’s Adam Lowry hit an empty-net goal with 91 seconds left in the game for the 4-2 final.
Sam Montembeault made 31 saves in the Canadiens loss.
“[Montembeault] made two or three saves where the shooters were probably expecting the puck to be in the back of the net,” the Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher said. “He’s battling, he’s competing, he’s worked hard all year and it hasn’t been the easiest for him. But he’s been giving us a chance every night, so he’s been playing some really good hockey.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.