NHL playoffs: Tyler Toffoli scores in OT, Canadiens sweep Jets

June 8 (UPI) -- Tyler Toffoli lingered near the left post, received a quick pass and blasted a one-timer past Connor Hellebuyck 1:39 into overtime to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a Game 4 win and series sweep of the Winnipeg Jets.

Toffoli's score capped the 3-2 victory Monday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Canadiens held off a second-period rally to finish the series 4-0 and move on to the Stanley Cup Playoff Semifinals.

"We are doing a good job and playing as one," Toffoli told reporters. "Hopefully we keep having success and keep winning games."

The NHL reseeds its playoff bracket for the semifinal round, which means the Canadiens do not know who they will face next.

The Canadiens are expected to host a United States-based team in the next round of the playoffs after the NHL and Canada reached an agreement Sunday to allow cross-border travel for the league for the first time since 2020.

Defenseman Erik Gustafsson and winger Artturi Lehkonen each scored in the first period to give the Canadiens an early edge Monday in Montreal.

Jets defenseman Logan Stanley responded with two goals in the second period to tie the score. Neither team lit the lamp in the third period, which prompted overtime.

Canadiens center Nick Suzuki won a battle for a loose puck along the boards on the right side about 1:30 into the bonus period.

He then passed off to right wing Cole Caufield, who fired a pass toward the far post. Toffoli hovered behind the net, but skated into position to receive the pass. He slapped his first touch past Hellebuyck's stick side as the Jets netminder couldn't turn quickly enough to react to the play.

Hellebuyck saved 39 of 42 shots in the loss. Canadiens goalie Carey Price saved 14 of 16 shots on net. Suzuki assisted two scores in the win. Left wing Kyle Connor assisted both Jets goals.

According to the NHL's playoff structure, the remaining team with the best regular-season record battles the team with the fourth-best record. The team with the second-best record faces the team with the third-best record.

The New York Islanders lead the Boston Bruins 3-2 in one series. The Tampa Bay Lightning hold a 3-1 series lead on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche are tied 2-2 in their series.