Montreal, January 28, 2025 — The Winnipeg Jets continued their impressive run on Tuesday night, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at the Bell Centre. With this victory, Winnipeg extended its winning streak to four games, showcasing strong performances from key players, including Kyle Connor and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Juraj Slafkovsky opened the scoring for the Canadiens just over eleven minutes after the first puck drop, catching the Jets off guard. A clever behind-the-net feed from Nick Suzuki set the stage for Slafkovsky's powerful shot, allowing Montreal to take the early lead. This would, unfortunately for the Canadiens, mark the highlight of their evening.
Just under five minutes later, the tide of the game shifted dramatically as Kyle Connor netted his first goal of the night to equalize for the Jets. His score came at 15:36 of the first period and was emblematic of the offensive momentum Winnipeg was building.
The second period showcased the Jets’ prowess as they took command of the match. Mark Scheifele, facing booing from the crowd for past controversies, scored to put Winnipeg up 2-1. The goal illustrated how well the Jets capitalized on opportunities, particularly with Gabriel Vilardi’s precision passing. Connor then sealed the second period with his second goal, making it 3-1 with 1.5 seconds left on the clock, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Despite getting off to a hot start, Montreal faltered. Sam Montembeault, the Canadiens' goaltender, faced relentless attacks from the Jets, managing to save 20 shots but could not secure his team’s defense from collapsing as they allowed four unanswered goals. The Canadiens had previously won 10 of their last 13 games but deteriorated against the Jets' potent offensive lineup.
This substantial loss saw Montreal drop a level both mentally and physically, ice woes leading to early-season injuries. Defenceman Kaiden Guhle suffered a leg injury in the third period after colliding awkwardly with the boards. His condition, as reported after the game, left head coach Martin St-Louis concerned for the player’s health.
Despite being outmaneuvered tactically over the final periods, Montreal did hold Winnipeg to 0-for-3 on the power play, firmly shutting down the league's best power play operation, which typically boasted 33.3 percent success rates. The Canadiens' commitment to defense remained notable, but their offensive struggles led to empty opportunities as the game progressed.
To put the finishing touch on the night, Rasmus Kupari kicked the final score up to 4-1 with an empty-net goal, cementing the Jets' victory. The Jets remain tied with league-leading Washington with 71 points, continuing their push toward the playoffs.
Looking forward, the Jets aim to extend their success as they move on to face the Boston Bruins next. Meanwhile, the Canadiens will host the Minnesota Wild as they seek to rebound from this disappointing defeat. The pressure mounts for Montreal as they fight to keep pace for the second wild card spot, trailing Tampa Bay by two points.
This report reflects the highs and lows of both teams, with standout performances from Winnipeg’s Connor and Hellebuyck. The composition of the game showed Winnipeg’s offensive strengths battling through adversity, leading to yet another solid performance as the NHL season progresses.