Josh Anderson is finding more and more joy in providing the spark for the Montreal Canadiens. His two points against the Winnipeg Jets helped his team to a 3-2 overtime victory at Canada Life Center on Monday night.
The 29-year-old forward had another strong game after scoring two goals against the New York Islanders on Saturday. This time he scored a goal and an assist and created several chances.
It was Justin Barron who played the hero in extra time and harshly criticized his brother Morgan in the opposing camp. The defenseman was sent to the point on a four-on-three power play and scored with an excellent wrist shot.
Well positioned in front of Connor Hellebuyck's cage, Anderson deflected a shot from Mike Matheson with his leg, putting CH on the scoreboard early in the second period. About ten minutes later he gave Christian Dvorak the lead with a nice breakthrough. The referees pondered for several minutes because it looked like Anderson had made a hand pass, but they eventually awarded the ball.
With an assist on this success, Brendan Gallagher caught his 200th pass in the National League. The 31-year-old veteran reached previous plateaus of 700 games and 400 points in 2023-2024.
Jake Allen got off to a good start in net but was still beaten twice as the offense stagnated. Winnipeg's player of the moment, Gabriel Vilardi, scored a goal at the very end of the second period. It was his seventh point in three games. Extra time was forced by Cole Perfetti.
The Canadian will benefit from a few days off before traveling to Minnesota to face the Wild on Thursday.
SUMMARY
RENEWAL
01:09 – BUT MTL 3-2 Ultimately, it is Justin Barron who will settle the debate. He gave Montreal the win thanks to a lively shot that beat Connor Hellebuyck. This is his sixth of the season. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield get assists.
00:49 – Adam Lowry and Mike Matheson are eliminated. The Canadiens will continue to rely on the power play.
00:00 – Start of period.
THIRD PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of period.
19:33 – Nikolaj Ehlers receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
12:24 – WPG GOAL 2-2 Cole Perfetti jumps on a return throw to beat Jake Allen. His tenth goal of the season allows Winnipeg to tie the game.
00:58 – Josh Morrissey is hit in the face by a throw from Nick Suzuki.
00:45 – Justin Barron receives a penalty. The Jets will play on the power play.
00:00- Start of period.
SECOND PERIOD
8:00 p.m.- End of period.
19:05 – WPG GOAL 2-1 The Jets react before the end of the period. Gabriel Vilardi manages to outwit Jake Allen. His fifth goal of the season reduced the deficit to just one goal.
15:04 – The Jets are ejected for delay of game. The Canadians will play on the power play.
15:04 – BUT MTL 2:0 The Canadians use the power play to extend their lead. Christian Dvorak scored the goal. The Jets competed under the guise of Josh Anderson making a pass with his hand, but they were unsuccessful. Dvorak's third goal of the season gave Montreal a two-goal lead.
13:31 – Brenden Dillon receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.
04:57 – BUT MTL 1:0 Connor Hellebuyck blocks Mike Matheson's shot, but the puck hits Josh Anderson and ends up in the net. His fourth goal of the season gave Montreal its first goal. Jake Evans also gets an assist.
01:19 – Juraj Slafkovsky receives a penalty. The Jets will play on the power play.
00:00 – Start of period.
FIRST PERIOD
8:00 p.m. – End of period.
00:00 – Start of the game.
In front of the net
Jake Allen Record: 3-6-2 / Goals Allowed Average: 3.58 / Efficiency Rate: 90.1%
Connor Hellebuyck Record: 15-6-1 / Goals Against Average: 2.41 / Efficiency Rate: 91.7%
Training from trainer Martin St-Louis