Canadiens take advantage of late power play, jolt Devils
NEWARK, N.J. -- Shea Weber and Max Pacioretty scored less than two minutes apart early in the third period to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Friday night.
With the game tied at 1, Devils defenseman Karl Stollery was assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding while Montreal's Torrey Mitchell was penalized two minutes for roughing.
During the ensuing three minutes of power-play time, Weber and Pacioretty broke open the game.
All three Canadiens goals were scored on a power play.
Alex Galchenyuk scored a goal and set up two others while Alexander Radulov had three assists. Goaltender Al Montoya made 16 saves to pick up the win.
Defenseman Steven Santini scored the Devils' lone goal. Keith Kinkaid allowed three goals on 26 shots.
Santini's second goal of the season at the 4-minute mark of the first period gave the Devils a 1-0 lead. Officials took time to review the goal but it was determined his shot from the blue line floated past Montoya and was not touched with a high stick.
Galchenyuk scored a power-play goal 1:14 later to tie the game. He took a drop pass from Radulov and whistled a one-timer from near the left faceoff circle that beat Kinkaid to the far post.
The Devils had three shots through the first period and didn't register their fourth and fifth shots until there was about 6:30 remaining in the second. The Canadiens outshot the Devils 19-8 through two uneventful periods.
With Stollery on the box, Weber unloaded a slap shot from the point that gave the Canadiens a 2-1 lead at 3:01 of the third period. His 11th goal was his first in eight games.
Pacioretty's 21st of the season came during the same Stollery penalty. Galchenyuk flipped a backhand pass to the slot where Pacioretty gathered and beat Kinkaid between the pads.
NOTES: Canadiens G Carey Price is expected to start at home Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. ... Canadiens C Phillip Danault played in his 100th NHL game. ... Devils G Cory Schneider (illness) wasn't healthy enough to start but served as the backup. ... New Jersey D Andy Greene (hand) missed his eighth consecutive game and is still skating on his own. ... Devils C Vernon Fiddler (lower body) sat for the 12th straight game although he practiced with the team Thursday.