National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Montreal 4, Winnipeg 1
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, April 4, 2013
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Referees: Eric Furlatt, Mark Lemelin
Linesmen: Steve Miller, Jonny Murray
Attendance: 21273


Canadiens 4, Jets 1: Michael Ryder collected two goals and an assist while Peter Budaj turned aside 33 shots as host Montreal improved to 11-0-0 against Southeast Division representatives.

Captain Brian Gionta scored and set up a goal and rookie Alex Galchenyuk also tallied for the Northeast Division-leading Canadiens, who have won four of their last five and maintained their one-point lead over Boston. The Bruins posted a 1-0 victory over New Jersey earlier on Thursday.

Alex Burmistrov scored and Ondrej Pavelec finished with 20 saves for the Jets, who have dropped a season-high five in a row and seven of nine to fall out of first place in the Southeast. Washington, which skated to a 2-1 shootout victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday, also has 38 points - but owns the tiebreaker (games played).

Ryder registered his fourth two-goal performance of the season and gave Montreal a 2-1 lead at 2:03 of the second period by chipping home a shot from in close. Gionta doubled the advantage under four minutes later as Lars Eller's shot deflected off his shoulder for a power-play goal.

Burmistrov opened the scoring at 8:16 of the first period, converting defenseman Grant Clitsome's feed at the back door. Ryder forged a 1-1 tie just over 2 1/2 minutes later by cleaning up a loose puck following Gionta's blast from the slot to beat Pavelec from the doorstep.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Jets' five-game losing streak is their first since March 6-12, 2010, when the franchise was known as the Atlanta Thrashers. ... Montreal C Tomas Plekanec did not play after suffering a groin injury during the second period of Wednesday's 5-3 loss to Philadelphia. ... Winnipeg, which went 0-for-3 on the power play, has failed to convert on all 16 opportunities during its five-game slide.

Top Game Performances
 
Winnipeg   Montreal
Alexander Burmistrov 1 Points Michael Ryder 3
Alexander Burmistrov 1 Goals Michael Ryder 2
Grant Clitsome 1 Assists Lars Eller 2
N/A Power Play Goals Michael Ryder 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ondrej Pavelec .833 Save Percentage Peter Budaj .971
Ondrej Pavelec 20 Saves Peter Budaj 33
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Winnipeg 34 1 0-3 0-2 21 30
Montreal 24 4 2-2 3-3 13 25
Upcoming Games
  • Montreal will play their next game at home against Boston. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .609 after a win and .769 after a loss.
  • Winnipeg will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Jets have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .450 after a loss.