Ducks’ Power Play Gets on Track in 3–2 Win Over Canadiens

Anaheim Ducks center Jayson Megna, right, tries to get a shot past Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., on Mar. 3, 2023. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Mason McTavish and Jakob Silfverberg scored power-play goals in the third period and the Anaheim Ducks extended their point streak to five games, beating the Montreal Canadiens 3–2 on Friday night, Mar. 3.

Jayson Megna also scored for Anaheim, which is 4–0–1 during its streak. John Gibson stopped 26 shots.

Jonathan Drouin had a goal and an assist while Nick Suzuki also scored for Montreal. Sam Montembeault made 30 saves. The Canadiens have dropped two straight and three of their last four.

Anaheim came into the game last in the league on the power play with a 15.6% conversion rate and was 1 for 17 in the past five games.

But the Ducks finally found their stride with the man advantage midway during the third period. McTavish scored on a one-timer from the right faceoff circle off a pass by Cam Fowler to make it 2–1. It was McTavish’s 14th goal of the season and his team-leading seventh on the power play. He has a point in three straight games with a goal and four assists.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish, left, celebrates his goal with defenseman Cam Fowler, center, and center Trevor Zegras during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Anaheim, Calif., on Mar. 3, 2023. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)

Silfverberg provided what would prove to be the decisive goal with five minutes remaining when he put a wrist shot past Montembeault with plenty of traffic in front of the net.

Suzuki brought the Canadiens within a goal with 30 seconds remaining after they pulled the goaltender.

Montreal scored 76 seconds into the game when Drouin tipped in the loose puck in the crease after Mike Matheson’s shot went through Gibson’s legs. The goal was Drouin’s first in 45 games, dating back to last season.

Megna tied it three minutes later with a wrist shot in front of the net after taking a pass from Max Comtois. Montreal defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic partially got his stick on the pass, but wasn’t able to clear it, leading to Megna’s second goal of the season.

Training Room

Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek said forward Adam Henrique (MCL sprain) could possibly return for the final two weeks of the season. Henrique, who is second on the team with 19 goals, was injured Feb. 21 against Tampa Bay.

Up Next

Canadiens: At Vegas on Sunday.

Ducks: At Seattle on Tuesday night to open a three-game trip.

By Joe Reedy