Laine scores with seconds left, lifts Blue Jackets over Habs

MONTREAL — Patrik Laine scored a power-play goal with 6.5 seconds left in regulation and the Columbus Blue Jackets escaped Montreal with a 2-1 win over the Canadiens.

Oliver Bjorkstad had the first goal for Columbus (23-22-1) just 76 seconds into the game and Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves for the win.

Cole Caufield replied for Montreal (8-32-7) early in the third period with his third goal of the season.

Samuel Montembeault had a busy day at the office, blocking 37-of-38 shots for the Canadiens.

It was the Blue Jackets' second victory at the Bell Centre in 14 days, extending their win streak to five games and six in their last seven.

The Habs slumped to a nine-game winless streak and Montreal is 0-2-0 under newly minted head coach Martin St. Louis.

St. Louis, 46, was facing the team he'd previously worked for as a special teams consultant in 2018-19.

Columbus were wide awake for the matinee game, scoring only 1:16 in.

Ben Chiarot’s clearance attempt deflected off Laine and onto Bjorkstrand’s stick. The Dane skated towards the slot, bounced the puck off of Alexander Romanov and beat Montembeault with the fourth shot of the game.

After a scoreless second period, Caufield took advantage of a defensive mistake to score in a second consecutive game.

Vladislav Gavrikov gave the puck away to Chiarot along the boards. The defenceman found Caufield in the high slot who shocked Merzlikins to tie things up at 1-1.

Jeff Petry took a tripping penalty with 1:27 left in regulation, opening the door for Columbus' game-winner.

Laine bagged a one-timer with 6.5 seconds left in regulation to help Columbus clinch two points.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2022.