The Montreal Canadiens scored three times in the third period to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 on Tuesday.
Marc-Andre Bergeron netted twice, Glen Metropolit, Michael Cammalleri and Maxim Lapierre also scored for the Habs and netminder Carey Price continued his recent run of good form by making 33 saves.
Despite playing without eight regulars, the Canadiens pulled through with a strong finish to the game.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I think we’ve seen the impact of the system over the past few games,” Lapierre told reporters.
His goal with 4:35 remaining capped a three-goal third period for the Canadiens (12-11-1).
“Even with all the guys we’re missing, the system doesn’t change,” he said.
Antoine Vermette scored twice for the Columbus Blue Jackets (12-8-3), Anton Stralman recording the visitors’ other goal.
Montreal improved to 3-0-1 in their last four games while the Blue Jackets slipped to their third loss in a row.
Cammalleri gave the home team a 1-0 lead at 5:50 in the first period with his fifth goal in his last six matches. The Montreal winger has played a key role in the team with Scott Gomez sidelined due to a lower body injury.
Vermette and Stralman replied for the Jackets before the end of the period, and the Canadiens trailed 3-2 after Vermette and Bergeron traded goals in the second.
However, the Habs turned the tables in the third as Columbus got sloppy.
“We didn’t manage the game — that’s the story of our season,” Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said.
“We had the game in control, we played two perfect periods and then we forced pucks and lost the game because of it,” he said.
■BRIERE SUSPENDED
REUTERS, TORONTO
Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Briere has been suspended for two games for “a late hit on an unsuspecting opponent,” the NHL said on Tuesday.
Briere leveled Colorado Avalanche defenseman Scott Hannan during the Flyers’ 5-4 loss on Monday in Denver.
The incident occurred just after Hannan scored during the second period.
“We were informed that Danny Briere was suspended two games by the NHL for his hit ... on Scott Hannan,” Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement on the team’s Web site.
“It’s obviously disappointing to not have Danny in the lineup for the next few games, but it’s a decision that the league has come down with and we’ll live with it,” he said.
Hannan did not return to the game following the hit and Briere did not receive a penalty for the hit at the time.
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