Byron’s late goal spoils Subban’s return to Montreal
MONTREAL — Just when it looked like Montreal’s scoring woes would continue, the Canadiens got goals from two slumping players to come from behind and extend their winning streak to four games.
Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher broke personal scoring slumps with timely third-period goals as the Canadiens defeated the visiting Nashville Predators 2-1 on Thursday.
Gallagher tied the game midway through the third period and Byron scored the winner with nine seconds to play as the Habs spoiled P.K. Subban’s first game against Montreal since being traded last summer.
“It’s a good feeling,” said Gallagher, who had not scored in 11 games. “Everyone knows I haven’t scored many goals this year. There’s definitely a bit of relief. I’m aware I need to produce more and score more goals.”
After two scoreless periods for the home side, Gallagher got the equalizer at 10:55 of the third when his wraparound shot deflected off defenceman Matt Irwin’s skate and through Pekka Rinne’s five-hole.
Then, with time winding down, Byron poked the puck away from Irwin in the neutral zone and chased it down the length of the ice on a breakaway. Rinne got his body on Byron’s shot but the puck trickled past him for the winger’s first goal in 14 games.
Carey Price made 24 saves for his 28th win of the season.
Ryan Ellis scored the lone goal for the Predators before leaving the game with a lower-body injury. Rinne stopped 24 shots in defeat.
BLUE JAYS 8, PHILLIES 8
DUNEDIN, Fla. — Jose Bautista continued his impressive spring with a three-run homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays settled for an 8-8 tie with the Philadelphia Phillies in Grapefruit League baseball pre-season action Thursday.
Bautista went 2-for-2 to increase his batting average to .500. His homer was the first of the pre-season.
Down 8-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Dwight Smith Jr., Mike Ohlman and Rowdy Tellez hit RBI singles to salvage the tie. Anthony Alford also homered for Toronto. Left-hander JA Happ opened with two scoreless innings for Toronto, striking out two while allowing one hit.