{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Montreal 3, Columbus 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 21, 2015
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Referees: Tom Kowal, Ghislain Hebert
Linesmen: Tim Nowak, Ryan Galloway
Attendance: 21286

Canadiens 3, Blue Jackets 1: Max Pacioretty recorded his second two-goal performance in as many meetings with Columbus as host Montreal improved to 6-1-2 in its last nine games.

Tomas Plekanec scored his third short-handed goal of the season and Carey Price finished with 31 saves to improve to 11-1-1 in his last 13 starts for the Canadiens. David Desharnais notched an assist for the third straight contest.

Nick Foligno netted his team-leading 23rd goal for the Blue Jackets, who saw their two-game winning streak come to an end with their second loss this season to Montreal. Curtis McElhinney turned aside 21 shots in suffering just his second setback in seven outings.

After tallying twice in the Canadiens' 3-2 victory over Columbus on Jan. 14, Pacioretty continued to torment the Blue Jackets by scoring on a pair of one-timers from the right faceoff circle in just over 13 minutes of action. Foligno halved the deficit with 5:55 remaining in the first period by tapping home a loose puck following Artem Anisimov's drive to the net.

Cam Atkinson's bid to forge a tie with one second to play in the middle period caromed off both posts before settling out of the goal. Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov was whistled for a delay-of-game penalty with 1:44 left in the third and Columbus pulled McElhinney for an extra attacker, but Plekanec was able to seal the win with an empty-net tally.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Columbus LW Scott Hartnell saw his career-high eight-game point streak come to an end. He collected four goals and seven assists during the run. ... Pacioretty's first goal came on the power play, ending a streak of 24 consecutive penalty kills on the road by Columbus. ... Montreal D P.K. Subban's five-game assist streak came to a halt. ... Canadiens LW Alex Galchenyuk sat out his second straight game due to the flu.
Top Game Performances
 
Columbus   Montreal
Nick Foligno 1 Points Max Pacioretty 2
Nick Foligno 1 Goals Max Pacioretty 2
Artem Anisimov 1 Assists Nathan Beaulieu 1
N/A Power Play Goals Max Pacioretty 1
N/A Short Handed Goals Tomas Plekanec 1
Curtis McElhinney .913 Save Percentage Carey Price .969
Curtis McElhinney 21 Saves Carey Price 31
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Columbus 32 1 0-4 2-3 16 32
Montreal 24 3 1-3 4-4 18 26
Upcoming Games
  • Montreal will play their next game on the road against St. Louis. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .676 after a win and .591 after a loss.
  • Columbus will play their next game on the road against NY Rangers. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .519 after a win and .400 after a loss.