Evans Scores Twice as Canadiens Take Down Blackhawks 4-1 in Chicago

Jake Evans picked a fine time for his first goals of the season.

The Montreal center scored twice and assisted on Kaiden Guhle's goal, matching his career high with three points as the Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Friday night in Chicago. Evans opened his account with 2:31 left in the first period to cancel out Connor Bedard's early opener, then gave Montreal the lead for good at 7:51 of the second, beating Spencer Knight over the stick side on a short-handed rush.

Guhle's wrist shot through traffic from the left point at 18:26 of the second pushed the lead to 3-1, and Mike Matheson — back after missing four games with a lower-body injury — sealed it with an empty-netter late in the third.

Jacob Fowler needed only 20 saves in a quiet night behind Montreal's structure, making just three stops in the third period despite five Chicago power plays. Knight finished with 24 saves for the Blackhawks, who have now lost two straight and four of their last six while falling to 3-7-0.

Montreal improved to 5-3-2 and is 4-1-1 in its last six. The Canadiens now head to Winnipeg for Sunday's outdoor Heritage Classic against the Jets, while Chicago hosts Florida the same night.