Ryder scores 2 goals, Canadiens send sliding Jets to 5th straight loss

Montreal Canadiens center Lars Eller (81) is stopped by Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 4, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz) (The Associated Press)

Montreal Canadiens right wing Michael Ryder reacts after scoring against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 4, 2013, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz) (The Associated Press)

MONTREAL – Michael Ryder scored two goals and set up another, and the Montreal Canadiens downed Winnipeg 4-1 on Thursday night to hand the Jets their fifth straight loss.

Brian Gionta and Alex Galchenyuk also scored for Montreal (24-8-5), which has won four of five but was coming off a 5-3 loss in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Winnipeg outshot Montreal 35-24, but Canadiens backup goalie Peter Budaj improved to 6-1-1.

Alexander Burmistrov got his first goal in 18 games for the Jets (18-19-2), who fell out of first place in the Southeast Division to 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Washington and Winnipeg both have 38 points, but the Capitals own the top spot in the division on a tiebreaker.

The Jets, who were swept on a three-game road trip, have scored only six goals during their losing streak. They will begin a six-game homestand Saturday against Philadelphia.