National Hockey League
Montreal 3, Columbus 2
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Referees: Eric Furlatt, Kendrick Nicholson
Linesmen: Steve Barton, Michel Cormier
Attendance: 20858

Tomas Tatar scored the go-ahead goal with 6:52 left in the third period and the Montreal Canadiens snapped a four-game skid Tuesday night with a 3-2 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, who were minus ill star Artemi Panarin.

Carey Price made 31 saves for the Canadiens, who prevailed despite blowing a 2-0 lead and earned at least a point in their seventh consecutive home game. Tatar proved to be hero, taking a nifty feed from Jordie Benn for the eventual winner.

Like Montreal, Columbus is in the mix for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but was without perhaps its best overall player.

Panarin, who leads the Blue Jackets with 67 points, has been the subject of trade rumors as the deadline nears. However, coach John Tortorella told the club's website before Tuesday's game that Panarin was "sick as a dog." Thus, he seemingly squashed any notion the team was holding out its most valuable trade piece to keep from being injured.

On the ice, Max Domi put Montreal ahead 1:21 into the game with his 20th goal of the season via a two-on-one chance. It's the first time in his four-year career that Domi has reached 20 goals. He also dropped the gloves with Columbus' Nick Foligno in the second period.

The Canadiens went up 2-0 with 2:48 left in the first when Paul Byron converted a rebound off the boards in his 400th game -- and first since missing six contests with a forearm injury.

Columbus cut the deficit in half 1:05 into the second after Josh Anderson went top shelf for his 21st. He also set a career best with his 31st point on the play. The Blue Jackets eventually equalized with less than 11 minutes left in regulation on Foligno's 15th goal of the season, with assists from Anderson and Boone Jenner.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for the Blue Jackets, whose four-game road winning streak ended.

Montreal was also minus one a key contributor as forward Phillip Danault did not play after missing the morning skate due to family reasons. It's unknown if Danault, who has matched a career high with 40 points, will be available Thursday against Philadelphia.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Columbus   Montreal
Josh Anderson 2 Points Jesperi Kotkaniemi 2
Josh Anderson 1 Goals Paul Byron 1
Boone Jenner 2 Assists Jesperi Kotkaniemi 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Sergei Bobrovsky .906 Save Percentage Carey Price .939
Sergei Bobrovsky 29 Saves Carey Price 31
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Columbus 33 2 0-2 3-3 16 25
Montreal 32 3 0-3 2-2 14 30
Upcoming Games
  • Montreal will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .452 after a win and .621 after a loss.
  • Columbus will play their next game on the road against Ottawa. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .485 after a win and .654 after a loss.