Jets rally to pull even, but Canadiens prevail in OT

Justin Barron scored a power-play goal in overtime as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the host Winnipeg Jets 3-2 on Monday night.

Josh Anderson had a goal and an assist for Montreal, while Christian Dvorak also tallied. Mike Matheson, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki chipped in assists. Jake Allen made 30 saves for the Canadiens.

Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti were the goal scorers for Winnipeg. Josh Morrissey, Nikolaj Ehlers, Vladislav Namestnikov and Brendan Dillon all had helpers. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 pucks for the Jets.

Neither team could get on the board, despite a high-speed first period with lots of chances for both sides.

The Habs got the game's first goal. At the 4:57 mark in the second period, Matheson put a puck on the net that took a fortuitous bounce off Anderson and in, putting Montreal ahead 1-0.

Montreal connected on the power play with 4:56 left in the second period after a bouncing puck from Anderson was whacked in by Dvorak to grow its lead to 2-0. The goal was reviewed for a hand pass by Anderson but was ruled a good goal.

The Jets didn't let the period run out without getting their first score. Vilardi used some slick hands to slip the loose puck into the corner of the net with 56 seconds left in the frame, cutting Montreal's lead to 2-1.

Winnipeg got the equalizer with 7:36 remaining in the third. Perfetti rolled up on a rebound that he quickly potted into the cage on a shot from Namestnikov.

A late penalty taken by Ehlers in the third led to a power play opportunity that Barron would capitalize on, giving Montreal the 3-2 win 1:09 into the extra period.