Wennberg's four points help Blue Jackets defeat Canadiens

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Blue Jackets moved into the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference with their fifth straight win, a 5-2 victory against the Montreal Canadiens at Nationwide Arena on Monday.
Alex Wennberg had a goal and three assists and Seth Jones scored for the third straight game for Columbus (37-28-5), which moved one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils. The Blue Jackets also pulled within two points of the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner scored for the Blue Jackets and Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 of his 38 saves in the third period when it was a 4-2 until Ian Cole's goal at 17:41.
WATCH: [All Canadiens vs. Blue Jackets highlights]
"We were on our heels too much," Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. "[Bobrovsky] certainly played really well in that third period."
Jones became the first defenseman since Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens in Jan. 2013 to have game-winning goals in three consecutive games when he made it 3-1 at 14:03 of the first period.
Jones did not play the third period. Tortorella said it was precautionary for an undisclosed injury that was aggravated.
"We wanted to keep him out of the game in the third period and see what the report is [Tuesday]," Tortorella said. "He wanted to play. I decided to sit him out in the third period to make sure. That's how important he is."
Brendan Gallagher and Jonathan Drouin scored, and Charlie Lindgren made 20 saves for the Canadiens (25-32-12), who have lost five in a row (0-3-2).

"After they got up 3-1 in the first, I thought we did a good job battling back," Lindgren said. "They're talented and they're a big team. They get to the crease and cause some havoc. That's how they score their goals. That's a good hockey club over there. That's a desperate club. They're trying to make the playoffs."
Gallagher gave Montreal a 1-0 lead with his 25th of the season 34 seconds into the game.
But Columbus scored the next three goals in the period, two via the power play.
Foligno scored at 4:17 to make it 1-1.

"We answered right away," Foligno said. "It's so important in a game like this, you never know, with a team that has nothing to lose and a ton of pride, we had to make sure we kind of matched that."
Wennberg tipped a shot by Jones to give the Blue Jackets the 2-1 lead at 7:51 with a power-play goal. The goal was initially credited to Jones before it was changed after the game.
Jones scored on a power play with a slap shot to make it 3-1.

"When you're struggling on the special teams, the thing to do is not overcomplicate it, just simplify it," Gallagher said. "It's a 1-1 game. We take two penalties and we're down two goals on the road. It's tough to come back."
Jones has seven points (four goals, three assists) in the past three games. His 14 goals tied the Blue Jackets record for most in a season by a defenseman. Zach Werenski also has 14 this season.
"He's turned into one of the League's top defenders," Werenski said. "It's fun to watch, fun to be a part of. It's fun to play with him. It's a blast. It's kind of like a competition right now."
Jenner put Columbus ahead 4-1 at 2:34 of the second period on his own rebound.
Drouin scored on a breakaway at 15:46 of the second.

Goal of the game

Jenner's goal at 2:34 of the second period.

Save of the game

Bobrovsky against Nicolas Deslauriers at 5:28 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Wennberg's goal at 7:51 of the first period.

They said it

"I see a team right now, with all the injuries, we've got a lot of guys who definitely aren't ready for the things we're throwing at them. Yet, I see a bunch of guys competing hard and trying hard." -- Canadiens coach Claude Julien
"We found a way to get eight points in the homestand. That really gives us a chance now to stay in the hunt." -- Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella

Need to know

Canadiens forward Phillip Danault (neck) did not play for the second time in three games. … Montreal was 1-3-2 on its six-game trip. … Wennberg tied his NHL-best with four points. He had four assists vs. the Canadiens on Nov. 4, 2016, in a 10-0 victory. … Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin has eight points (three goals, five assists) in a five-game point streak. … Blue Jackets forward Matt Calvert (illness) and defenseman Ryan Murray (undisclosed) were replaced by Lukas Sedlak and Markus Nutivaara, respectively.

What's next

Canadiens: Host the Dallas Stars on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.; TSN2, RDS, FS-SW+, NHL.TV)
Blue Jackets: At the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday (7 p.m.; NBCSP, FS-O, NHL.TV)