The Canadiens erased a two-goal deficit in a second straight game and this time capped their comeback with a win.
Juraj Slafkovsky broke the tie late in the second period and added an assist as Montreal defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 Friday night at the United Center.
On Thursday, the Habs had recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits before losing 4-3 in overtime to the Minnesota Wild.
Against an opponent ranked 31st in the NHL standings, the Canadiens once again had to play catch-up hockey. However, their efforts were not in vain.
Nick Suzuki and David Savard also each had a goal and an assist, while Mitchell Stephens and Josh Anderson also scored for the Canadiens (15-13-5), who have collected at least a point in a fifth straight game (3-0-2). Cayden Primeau stopped 19 shots.
Ryan Donato and Jason Dickinson gave the lead to the Blackhawks (10-21-1), who have won just one of their last six games (1-5-0). Petr Mrazek made 23 saves.
The Canadiens completed the first leg of their holiday trip with a 2-0-1 record.
He will resume work on December 28, when he visits the Carolina Hurricanes.
Victorious comeback
The visitors had the advantage early in the game. The Canadiens players controlled the game, but they came up against Mrazek.
Primeau stole a sure goal from MacKenzie Entwistle late in the first period, then Jayden Struble came to his goalie’s rescue on Anthony Beauvillier’s rebound.
The sequence seemed to whip the Blackhawks into action, who opened the scoring about a minute later with 3:04 left in the first period. Connor Bedard drew three opponents, which left Donato alone in the slot to beat Primeau.
The Blackhawks doubled their lead 3:43 into the second period. Colin Blackwell charged into the Canadiens’ zone and defenseman Justin Barron fell in his crease. Blackwell then backed out to Dickinson, who was able to shoot into an open net.
The Canadiens quickly responded at 4:20. Stephens deflected a long shot from Mike Matheson behind Mrazek.
It was Stephens’ fourth career NHL goal and first since March 3, 2020.
Anderson tied the game 2-2 with 4:58 left in the second period. He took advantage of a nice cross-country pass from Sean Monahan to score his fourth goal in as many games.
The Blackhawks threatened in turn, but Dickinson hit the post on a two-on-one attack.
Slafkovsky finally gave the Canadiens the lead for the first time in the game, scoring with 2:27 left in the second period. Suzuki’s shot hit defenseman Isaak Phillips’ skate and Slafkovsky simply had to push the loose puck into the opening.
Primeau made another splash before the end of the period, making a nice save on a Tyler Johnson deflection during another Blackhawks man-up attack.
Suzuki gave the Canadiens a two-goal cushion by scoring his 10th goal of the season with 6:49 left in the third period. He took advantage of a rebound after a good shot from Cole Caufield.
Jake Evans came back 10 seconds later, beating Mrazek glove side. However, head coach Luke Richardson challenged the goal, believing the play was offside. NHL officials quickly overturned the goal.
However, this had no impact on the final result.
Savard completed the scoring with an empty net shot with 1:56 left on the clock.
