COLUMBUS (AP) – The Blue Jackets erupted with three goals in the final period to beat Montreal 5-2.
Cam Atkinson had his third-career hat trick and Brandon Saad scored twice to help the Jackets end a three-game losing streak.
The Canadiens have lost six of their last seven games.
Atkinson’s linemates Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner each had three assists and rookie Joonas Korpisalo turned aside 32 shots.
Montreal’s P.K. Subban tied it 2-2 midway through the second, but Columbus scored three goals in the third, including a go-ahead score from Saad 9:06 into the period.
Subban and Brendan Gallagher each had a goal and an assist and Mike Condon made 20 saves for Montreal, which hasn’t won consecutive games since late November.
Columbus played a second straight game without coach John Tortorella after he broke two ribs falling after a collision with a player at practice Friday.