Canadiens edge Blue Jackets, 2-1
MONTREAL (The Associated Press) — Zachary Bolduc ended a lengthy scoring drought in decisive fashion Thursday night, snapping a 31-game goalless skid with the game-winning goal as the Montreal Canadiens edged the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1.
Bolduc scored 4:36 into the third period, ripping a shot into the top-left corner for his first goal since Dec. 23 and a 2-1 Montreal lead that held up the rest of the way.
Jayden Struble also scored for Montreal, opening the scoring at 9:54 of the first period when he snuck a wrist shot past Jet Greaves short side. It was Struble’s first goal of the season and his first since Nov. 26, 2024.
Columbus answered two minutes later on Damon Severson’s goal. Severson beat Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes’ blocker-side on a 2-on-1 after Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson was caught up ice.
Dobes finished with 25 saves as Montreal won its third consecutive game. Greaves stopped 18 shots for Columbus.
With an assist on Struble’s goal, Hutson became the fourth defenseman in Canadiens history to register 70 points in a season, and the first since Chris Chelios in 1988-89. Larry Robinson and Guy Lapointe also reached the mark.
The Blue Jackets fell to 19-4-4 since Rick Bowness replaced Dean Evason as head coach Jan. 12. They climbed from 28th overall to second in the Metropolitan Division ahead of Thursday’s games. The Canadiens sit third in the Atlantic Division with 11 games remaining.
Columbus hosts the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, and then Boston on Sunday. Montreal visits the Nashville Predators on Saturday.
