MONTREAL (Interstat) — The Montreal Canadiens erupted for three third-period goals to break open a tie game and defeat the Vancouver Canucks 6-3 on Monday night at Bell Centre. The teams were deadlocked at 3-3 after two periods, but Michael Matheson scored 29 seconds into the third to give Montreal the lead for good. Oliver Kapanen and Juraj Slafkovsky added insurance goals to seal the win. Slafkovsky finished with a goal and two assists, while Ivan Demidov had three assists. Defenseman Alexandre Carrier scored two second-period goals for Montreal. Elias Pettersson, Max Sasson and Evander Kane scored for the Canucks, who have lost three straight. The Canadiens improved to 26-20, while Vancouver fell to 16-29.

MONTREAL (Interstat) — The Montreal Canadiens erupted for three third-period goals to break open a tight game and cruise to a 6-3 victory over the struggling Vancouver Canucks on Monday night at Bell Centre. The Canadiens, who led by just a single goal after two periods, overwhelmed the visitors in the final frame to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Montreal improved to 26-20, while Vancouver’s woes deepened, falling to 16-29 with their fourth consecutive loss. Vancouver struck first, capitalizing on an early offensive zone faceoff win. Elias Pettersson collected the puck and fired a wrist shot past Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes at 11:53 of the opening period for his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Linus Karlsson and Filip Hronek. Montreal answered on a power play late in the period. With Vancouver’s Brock Boeser in the box for hooking, defenseman Noah Dobson wired a wrist shot from the point that beat Canucks netminder Nikita Tolopilo at 18:13. Captain Nick Suzuki provided the primary assist. The second period featured a flurry of offense. Vancouver regained the lead at 2:50 when Evander Kane finished off a feed from Aatu Raty for his seventh goal. The Canucks extended their advantage just over 15 minutes later as Max Sasson buried his ninth of the year at 18:42, with Drew O’Connor and Pierre-Olivier Joseph earning helpers. The two-goal lead was short-lived. Montreal defenseman Alexandre Carrier responded just 11 seconds later, cutting the deficit to 3-2 with a wrist shot at 8:31, assisted by Suzuki and Alexandre Texier. Then, in a stunning sequence, Carrier struck again exactly 20 seconds after his first goal, netting his third of the season at 8:51 to tie the game. Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov recorded assists on the equalizer, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and setting the stage for the third-period onslaught. Montreal took its first lead of the night just 29 seconds into the final period. Michael Matheson jumped into the play and snapped a wrister for his fifth goal, with Cole Caufield and Texier picking up assists. The Canadiens then put the game out of reach. Slafkovsky notched his 17th goal at 3:07, finishing a precise passing play from Demidov and defenseman Lane Hutson. Oliver Kapanen sealed the victory with his 16th goal at 18:05, tapping in a setup from Demidov and Slafkovsky. Montreal’s depth was on full display, with nine different players recording a point. Suzuki finished with two assists, while the young line of Slafkovsky, Demidov and Kapanen combined for two goals and four assists. Defensemen Carrier, Dobson and Matheson contributed three goals from the blue line. Dobes made 28 saves for the win. Tolopilo stopped 44 shots in a busy but ultimately unsuccessful night for Vancouver, which was outshot 50-31. The game featured only three minor penalties. Beyond Boeser’s first-period infraction, Montreal’s Carrier was called for cross-checking in the third period and Dobson for hooking later in the frame. The result continued starkly divergent trends for the two clubs. Vancouver has now lost 10 of its last 11 games, having been outscored 45-17 during that stretch. Montreal, meanwhile, has won seven of its last 10 and solidified its hold on a playoff position in the East. The teams had met once previously this season, with Montreal earning a 4-3 win in Vancouver on Oct. 25. The Canadiens will look to maintain momentum when they begin a three-game road trip in Washington on Tuesday night. The Canucks, mired in a deep slump, continue their road trip in Ottawa on Tuesday.

Preview: Struggling Canucks Face Surging Canadiens in Montreal MONTREAL (Interstat) — The Montreal Canadiens, riding a wave of strong play, will host the struggling Vancouver Canucks at Bell Centre on Monday night in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions. The Canadiens (25-19) have won four of their last five games, including a decisive 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Center Alexandre Texier has been a driving force, recording a hat trick in that win and tallying four goals and two assists over his last two contests. Montreal’s recent success has solidified its position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Conversely, the Canucks (16-27) have lost three straight and are 1-5-2 in their last eight games. They are coming off a 5-1 road loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Winger Jake DeBrusk, a bright spot for Vancouver, scored the lone goal in that defeat. He has goals in three of his last five games and leads the team in recent offensive production. Montreal won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-3 victory in Vancouver on Oct. 25. The Canadiens’ offense has been potent, scoring four or more goals in four of their last five wins. Beyond Texier, the line centered by Oliver Kapanen has provided consistent secondary scoring. Vancouver’s defense, which has allowed 4.25 goals per game during its three-game skid, will face a significant challenge. Vancouver’s road record is a major concern as it begins a three-game trip. The team has struggled to find consistent goaltending and defensive structure. DeBrusk and captain Brock Boeser will need to lead an offensive counterpunch to keep pace with Montreal’s attack. The game marks the start of a critical home stretch for the Canadiens, who play seven of their next nine games at Bell Centre. For the Canucks, it is an opportunity to halt a slide that has jeopardized their season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. Following the game, Montreal travels to face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, while Vancouver continues its trip against the Ottawa Senators.