Tyler Toffoli's OT winner finishes Canadiens' sweep of Jets

[June 08, 2021]    Tyler Toffoli scored at 1:39 of overtime and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the visiting Winnipeg Jets 3-2 on Monday night to complete a four-game sweep of their second-round North Division playoff series.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Erik Gustafsson (32) (not pictured) scores a goal against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the first period in game four of the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Toffoli scored his fourth goal of the playoffs after Cole Caufield made the pass to the front of the goal. Toffoli, who added an assist, has 10 points in the playoffs.

Erik Gustafsson and Artturi Lehkonen also scored for the Canadiens, who have won seven straight games in the playoffs. Nick Suzuki had two assists for Montreal.

The Canadiens will oppose either Colorado or Vegas in the playoff semifinals. The Avalanche and Golden Knights are tied 2-2 in the West Division second-round series.

Logan Stanley scored twice for Winnipeg in the second period to tie the game after Montreal built a 2-0 in the first period. Kyle Connor assisted on both goals.

Carey Price made 14 saves for Montreal, while Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck stopped 39 shots.

Montreal scored on a power play at 8:01 of the first period when Gustafsson's shot from the high slot went through a maze of players, hit the post and went in. It was Gustafsson's first career playoff goal. Andrew Copp was off for high-sticking.

The Canadiens scored first in each of the four games.

Lehkonen tipped in a shot by Brett Kulak at 19:09 of the first to increase the lead to 2-0. Brendan Gallagher intercepted a clearing attempt by Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers to set up Kulak's pass.

Montreal had a 12-7 advantage in shots on goal after one period.

Stanley scored his first two career playoff goals early in the second period to erase the deficit for Winnipeg.

Jordie Benn set up Stanley for a shot from the left circle that went high on the short side at 1:40. Then Stanley tied the game on a shot from above the right circle at 5:29. It came just after Hellebuyck made a key save on Gallagher.

Mason Appleton came close to giving the Jets the lead with about five minutes left in the second when his close-in attempt bounced off the top of the crossbar and over the net.

Montreal led in shots on goal 25-11 after two periods.

--Field Level Media

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