National Hockey League
Edmonton 4, Montreal 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 9, 2020
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Referees: Steve Kozari, Graham Skilliter
Linesmen: Jonny Murray, James Tobias
Attendance: 21302

Alex Chiasson scored the go-ahead goal midway into the third period as the visiting Edmonton Oilers rallied to a 4-2 victory over the reeling Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a power-play goal, Riley Sheahan and Josh Archibald also tallied, and Mike Smith made 35 saves for the Oilers, who improved to 4-0-1 in their last five games.

Phillip Danault and Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored and Carey Price turned aside 22 shots for Montreal, which saw its winless streak extend to a season high-tying eight games (0-7-1). The Canadiens also dropped eight in a row (0-5-3) from Nov. 16-Dec. 1.

Chiasson, who is a Montreal native, deflected home defenseman Oscar Klefbom's pass from the left circle to give Edmonton a 3-2 lead at 9:40 of the third period. Chiasson's goal was his sixth of the season and second in as many games.

Archibald scored into an empty net with 35 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Edmonton erased an early two-goal deficit as Sheahan elevated the puck into the top corner at 7:16 of the second period before Nugent-Hopkins forged a tie at 2:16 of the third after converting a centering feed from captain Connor McDavid.

Danault wired a shot from the high slot that Smith answered with a right pad save, however the former collected his own rebound and beat the goaltender inside the far post to open the scoring with 7:25 remaining in the first period. Danault's goal was his 11th of the season and first since he tallied twice in Montreal's last win -- a 6-2 victory at Winnipeg on Dec. 23.

Kotkaniemi doubled the advantage 2:24 into the second period after one-timing Artturi Lehkonen's centering feed in the high slot past Smith. The goal was Kotkaniemi's sixth of the season and first since he scored in back-to-back games on Dec. 28-29.

Ilya Kovalchuk, who was playing in his 900th NHL game, nearly gave Montreal a 3-1 lead with eight minutes remaining in the second period. Kovalchuk's sharp-angle shot on a 3-on-1 rush was denied by Smith, however.

Canadiens alternate captain Brendan Gallagher had four shots on goal in his return to the lineup. Gallagher had been sidelined since sustaining a concussion on Dec. 31.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Edmonton   Montreal
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2 Points Phillip Danault 1
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 1 Goals Phillip Danault 1
Leon Draisaitl 2 Assists Brett Kulak 1
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Mike Smith .946 Save Percentage Carey Price .880
Mike Smith 35 Saves Carey Price 22
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Edmonton 26 4 1-2 2-2 4 32
Montreal 37 2 0-2 1-2 4 30
Upcoming Games
  • Montreal will play their next game on the road against Ottawa. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .421 after a win and .385 after a loss.
  • Edmonton will play their next game on the road against Calgary. The Oilers have a W/L % of .435 after a win and .609 after a loss.