By Canadian Press

Harris scores two, Canadiens defeat Oilers 6-2 for back-to-back wins

Feb 12, 2023 | 12:32 PM

MONTREAL — Jordan Harris had his first career two-goal game as the Montreal Canadiens earned wins on back-to-back afternoons with a convincing 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. 

Alex Belzile, Josh Anderson, Rafael Harvey-Pinard and Christian Dvorak added goals for Montreal (22-27-4). Evgenii Dadonov and Jonathan Drouin each recorded two assists.

Jake Allen made 30 saves. 

Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane scored for Edmonton (30-19-5). Connor McDavid was left off the score sheet, ending a 15-game point streak. 

Stuart Skinner made 24 saves as the Oilers recorded their first regulation loss in 12 games. They were on a 9-0-2 run heading into Sunday’s contest.

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Belzile opened the scoring for the Canadiens with his first NHL goal at 8:14 of the opening frame. Belzile took advantage of some confusion between Oilers defenceman Brett Kulak and Skinner and scored on a wrist shot from the high slot. 

Montreal doubled its lead in the second period when Dadonov found Harris with a pass from behind Skinner’s net. The blue liner completed the one-timer from a tight angle. 

Anderson gave the Habs a commanding 3-0 lead on the power play when he grabbed a rebound from Dadonov’s shot and tapped in his 15th of the campaign. 

Edmonton woke up from a slow opening frame with two goals in the second period. Draisaitl hopped on a Zach Hyman rebound to score 30th goal of the season on the power play. 

Just as Montreal successfully killed a two-man power play, the Oilers cut their deficit to one. While being defended by Justin Barron, Kane surprised Allen with a swift wrist shot from the right face off circle. 

The Habs nipped Edmonton’s comeback attempt in the bud by bumping their lead back to two goals late in the second period. Harvey-Pinard redirected Mike Matheson’s slap shot to register an eighth point in nine games.

Harris completed his two-goal game at 2:58 of the final period by beating Skinner with a wrister from the left faceoff circle. 

Montreal added insult to injury with a shorthanded goal against Edmonton’s league-leading power play. Kirby Dach found a wide open Dvorak in the slot to give Montreal a 6-2 advantage, electrifying the Bell Centre crowd. 

INJURY REPORT

Following a fight with Oilersv Canadiens defenceman Arber Xhekaj left for the locker room with an apparent right shoulder injury. The Canadiens announced during the second intermission that Xhekaj would not return to the game.

BELZILE MAKES HISTORY

At 31 years and 165-days old, Belzile became the oldest Hab to score his first NHL goal since Hockey Hall of Famer Herb Gardiner in 1926. Belzile also became the seventh-oldest player in league history to open his account. 

UP NEXT 

The Canadiens will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

The Oilers will welcome the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2023.

Tristan D’Amours, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version had the incorrect position for Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais.