Hurricanes 5, Canadiens 4 (OT)
Alexander Semin scored at 3:27 of overtime to cap a stunning comeback from a three-goal third-period deficit for host Carolina.
Jeff Skinner scored a pair of power-play goals 37 seconds apart and added an assist, captain Eric Staal netted a tally and set up two others and Manny Malhotra added a third-period goal as the Hurricanes erased a 3-0 deficit and snapped a five-game winless drought (0-3-2). Cam Ward made 21 saves to end a personal three-game skid (0-2-1).
Max Pacioretty recorded a pair of goals, Lars Eller opened the scoring and defenseman P.K. Subban tied it midway through the third period for Montreal, which fell to 4-5-1 in its last 10 following a 9-0-1 run. Carey Price, expected to be named a goaltender for Team Canada on Wednesday, made 37 saves and David Desharnais collected three assists for the Canadiens.
Montreal appeared en route to an easy win when Pacioretty scored his second goal to make it 3-0 with 5:36 left in the second period, accepting a feed from Subban and burying a shot from the slot. Eller converted a pass from Alex Galchenyuk 80 seconds into the game and Pacioretty doubled the lead at 7:46 by redirecting a feed from Desharnais.
Skinner ignited a four-goal spree by the Hurricanes with the two power-play tallies before Staal made it three goals in a span of 2:29 to pull the Hurricanes even at 3-3. Malhotra put Carolina on top at 8:16 of the third, converting a pass from behind the net by Zach Boychuk, but Subban notched the equalizer exactly two minutes later with a blast from the point during a power play.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pacioretty has scored six goals in eight games and matched last season's total of 15 in 12 fewer contests. ... Skinner has scored 12 of his 16 goals in December, including four multi-goal performances. ... C Riley Nash left with a lower-body injury for Carolina, which recalled G Anton Khudobin from Charlotte of the American Hockey League following a two-game conditioning stint, giving the team three netminders.