The Winnipeg Jets continued their impressive run, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at the Bell Centre on January 28, 2025. This marks the Jets' fourth consecutive victory, enhancing their position as one of the leading teams in the Western Conference.
The game started off with the Canadiens taking the lead midway through the first period. Juraj Slafkovsky netted his goal with assistance from Nick Suzuki, marking his contributions as the Habs looked to grab momentum early. At this point, they held the edge with 12 shots to the Jets' 3. But as the saying goes, it’s not how you start, but how you finish, and the Jets quickly made their intentions known.
Shortly after Slafkovsky’s opener, Winnipeg answered back. Kyle Connor, who has been instrumental for the Jets, scored the equalizer minutes later, demonstrating his knack for delivering under pressure. The first period ended with the teams tied, setting the stage for what was to come.
What happened next can only be described as dominant. The Jets exploded with offensive firepower in the second period, rapidly taking control of the match. Connor struck again, netting his second goal with just 1.5 seconds left before the intermission, significantly shifting the game's momentum.
This performance was pivotal not just for the score but also for the morale of the Jets, who had already been seeking to build on their earlier win against Montreal. The shift from the first to the second period was stark, showcased by the Jets' 11-0 advantage in shots early on.
Mark Scheifele added another goal midway through the second period, with assistance from Gabe Vilardi, ensuring the Jets had the upper hand at 2-1. The Canadiens struggled to find their footing as the Jets continued their assault, outshooting the Habs 15-3 from the moment they trailed. Connor was becoming the standout player of the night, effectively deft around the net and visibly exploiting the Canadiens' defensive lapses.
Despite the Habs' effort to rally back, including producing seven shots on goal during the third period, they could not penetrate the strong defense led by Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck proved solid, turning aside 24 of 25 shots and maintaining composure under pressure.
The third period saw the Canadiens create chances, with Josh Anderson coming close on the breakaway, but he also failed to get one past Hellebuyck, who kept his team firmly on the path to victory. Rasmus Kupari scored the Jets' final goal, hitting the empty net with 1:45 remaining, sealing the Canadiens' fate.
For the Canadiens, this marks their third consecutive loss, leaving them with questions to answer as they attempt to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. The loss was compounded by the injury to defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who fell awkwardly during the third period. His absence is likely to be felt as the Canadiens approach their next matchup against the Minnesota Wild.
Despite the loss, head coach Martin St. Louis holds 99 career victories, and the team continues to seek stability, having been 6-2-2 over their last ten games prior to this defeat. The match-up against the Jets was significant not only for the standings but for Montreal’s confidence moving forward.
Looking to the future, the Jets will visit the Boston Bruins next, seeking to extend their winning streak once again. Meanwhile, the Canadiens will work on regrouping and addressing their defensive shortcomings, aiming to turn the tide against Minnesota.
Overall, this match demonstrated the Jets' capacity to control games and the resilience they possess as they aim for playoff success, making them formidable opponents as the season progresses.
Both teams now prepare for their upcoming challenges, with the Jets firmly established as contenders to watch, and the Canadiens evaluating how they can reclaim their spot among the playoff hopefuls.