Canadiens Snap Droughts, Edge Blue Jackets in Nail-Biting 2-1 Win
Zachary Bolduc finally broke through and the Montreal Canadiens rode that momentum to a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, extending their winning streak to three games. It was a night of long-awaited redemption, not just for Bolduc, but for Jayden Struble, whose first goal in 485 days set the tone early.
The game opened with Struble capitalizing on a perfect pass from Bolduc, firing a wrist shot past Columbus goalie Jet Greaves. The Blue Jackets responded quickly, with Damon Severson converting a 2-on-1 chance to tie it, but from there, the Canadiens controlled the pace. Despite Columbus dominating early in the shot count, Montreal’s netminder Jakub Dobes stood tall, making 25 saves and keeping the team in striking distance. His key save late in the second period, denying Mason Marchment on a breakaway, drew a loud chorus of “Do-by!” from the Bell Centre crowd and underscored his growing dominance between the pipes.
For Bolduc, the third period was personal. After a 31-game goalless streak, he finally found the back of the net, ripping a shot into the top-left corner to give Montreal the lead. The timing couldn’t have been better. Bolduc’s patience and unselfish play earlier in the game set up Struble’s goal, showing that chemistry on the ice can outweigh individual pressure. Coach Martin St. Louis highlighted this, noting that Bolduc’s consistent play and improved defensive awareness were key factors in creating scoring opportunities.
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This win is more than just a single result—it’s a critical boost for a Canadiens squad trying to solidify its playoff position. Sitting third in the Atlantic Division with 11 games remaining, every point counts. The team demonstrated that it doesn’t have to rely solely on stars like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, or Juraj Slafkovsky, with contributions from all lines proving vital in high-stakes moments.
Columbus, on the other hand, has been a rising force since Rick Bowness took over as head coach in January. Despite the loss, their record of 19-4-4 over the past two and a half months shows they are far from a team to be overlooked. For both teams, the stretch run ahead will test depth, resilience and the ability to execute under pressure.
Montreal now heads out on a five-game road trip, starting with the Nashville Predators and will look to maintain momentum. Dobes’ stellar goaltending, Bolduc’s renewed confidence and contributions from supporting players could be the difference as the Canadiens aim to stay competitive in a tight playoff race.
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