Canadiens 3, Islanders 1
Max Pacioretty scored a short-handed goal for the second straight game as visiting Montreal sent New York to its third straight defeat.
Tomas Plekanec also tallied and Lars Eller scored into an empty net for the Canadiens, who won for only the second time in six games move two points ahead of Tampa Bay for first place in the Atlantic Division. Carey Price came within 2:18 of his eighth shutout of the season, turning aside 35 shots for his league-high 38th victory.
Josh Bailey scored on the power play for the slumping Islanders, who lost for the sixth time in eight games overall (2-4-2) and suffered their fourth straight setback at home. Michal Neuvirth made 27 saves for New York, which has been limited to one goal in each of the last three losses.
Price stopped all 13 shots he faced in the opening 20 minutes and the Canadiens rewarded his efforts by scoring 58 seconds into the second. Alex Galchenyuk averted a hit by defenseman Thomas Hickey before accepting a drop pass from PA Parenteau and setting up Plekanec's one-timer from the right circle.
Montreal doubled the lead just over two minutes later on a gaffe by Neuvirth, who left the puck behind the net, allowing Eller to get there first and set up Pacioretty in front for an easy conversion. The Islanders missed a glittering chance with 8 1/2 minutes left in the session when Matt Martin had an open net but his mis-hit allowed Price to make the save, although Bailey averted the shutout by converting in front.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pacioretty has scored nine times in his last 14 games while Plekanec reached 20 goals for the seventh time in his career. ... Islanders captain John Tavares has failed to score in three straight games for the first time this season. ... Canadiens F Torrey Mitchell suffered an upper-body injury in the first period and did not return.