Montreal Takes Win Against the Jets to Remain in the Hunt

The Montreal Canadiens did exactly what was needed Saturday night, and that was to dig down deep win and prove they still have fight left in them.

Shea Weber is one of those who knows the fight still burns inside, and the Canadiens showed that last night by dominating the Winnipeg Jets and going on to a 3-1 victory. In the Jets defense, they have already advanced to the playoffs and saving energy for them and avoiding any potential injuries is a higher priority.

Weber stated that the team has spoken of that the entire time and said they are not giving up. Weber, who is captain of the Montreal Canadiens added,

“We’re not out yet. Six more points available for us. We’ll take the next game here and try to win that one and see what happens.”

Montreal’s Jordan Weal scored one goal and bagged an assist. Joel Armia and Jeff Petry also scored, and Phillip Danault, Max Domi, Brett Kulak and Andrew Shaw earned assists. Commenting on the game, Carey Price, who stopped 23 shots and had a .958 save average said,

“Right from the get-go, I thought that could have been one of our better games all season.”

The Canadiens are currently tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot. The Blue Jackets are fighting just as hard and won their game against Nashville on Saturday. Sitting just ahead of the Canadiens and Blue Jackets is the Carolina Hurricanes who have four remaining games compared to Montreal’s three.

Sportsnet

Winnipeg’s Mathieu Perreault scored its only goal. The Jets have now lost their last three games but remain tied at the top of the Central Division with the Nashville Predators. In post-game interviews, Perreault commented that since clinching a playoff spot they seem to be taking games a little more lightly. Perreault added,

“I don’t really know how to explain that, it’s just maybe human nature, you know. You feel maybe a bit more comfortable knowing you are going to make the playoffs, so you don’t have to try as hard. I’m sure when playoffs come around, we’ll get back to our game.”

Captain of the Winnipeg Jets, Blake Wheeler, when asked need to play with desperation to get out of their current slump stated that the team is trying to win the Central Division but added,

” Well, we’re trying to win a Central Division. You know, it might come as a surprise but those guys get paid, too. They’re NHL players. So as bad as we want to blow everyone out of our building and beat them 5-0, it’s not reality sometimes. You know, it’s not easy for us right now. Facing some adversity right now. We’re going to be a better team once we get through it.

Montreal was in control of the first period as the Jets played their final home game of the regular season. They outshot Winnipeg 16 to 5 and took a 1-0 lead after Nikilaj Ehlers was issued a tripping penalty. The second period was filled with close calls for the Jets, but it was also one that saw Montreal scoring its second goal putting them up 2-0.

The second goal came with less than 30 seconds left on the clock when Jeff Petry came on with Max Domi to earn his 70th point of the season, a first for the franchise since Tomas Plekanec did in 2009/2010. Montreal made it 3-0 early in the third while on another power play after Blake Wheeler was sent to the box for slashing. With 8 minutes remaining in the third, the Jets Mathieu Perreault scored their only goal to make it 3-1.

Important to not for punters following the battle for the Central Division, Winnipeg will now hit the road for their final four games with stops in Chicago, Minnesota, Colorado and Arizona. Those interested in places bets on the upcoming games and who will come out on top, Winnipeg or Nashville will find excellent signup bonuses being offered by leading sportsbooks such as Bet3565. Register today and capitalise on this offer!