Canadiens 4, Avalanche 3
Max Pacioretty snapped a tie late in the third period and Montreal held on to win the opener of its four-game road trip.
Defensemen Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban each recorded a goal and an assist while Jiri Sekac also tallied for the Canadiens, who halted their three-game winless streak. Carey Price turned aside 26 shots and also notched an assist in winning for the seventh time in nine decisions.
Former Canadien Daniel Briere, Ryan O'Reilly and blue-liner Tyson Barrie scored for the Avalanche, who completed a 1-2-0 homestand. Calvin Pickard made 26 saves in his third consecutive start and the fourth of his career.
Montreal opened the scoring on Sekac's shot from the left faceoff circle 8:09 into the contest, but Briere beat Price from the left hash marks following a turnover with 34 seconds remaining in the first period to forge a tie. O'Reilly made it two goals in 1:09 for Colorado when he converted a pass from behind the net by Alex Tanguay 35 seconds into the second period.
Markov drew the Canadiens even with a shot from the left circle during a power play at 6:28 before Barrie put the Avalanche back in front with 7:59 left, firing a shot from below the right circle during what began as a 4-on-1 that caromed off backchecking forward Brandon Prust's stick and into the net. Subban knotted the game with a one-timer from the left point at 15:16 and Pacioretty converted a 2-on-1 attempt from the left circle with 6:06 remaining in the third for a 4-3 lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Canadiens registered four shots on goal in the third period after owning an 18-9 advantage in the middle session. ... Subban has scored three of his six goals this season against the Avalanche. ... Montreal C Manny Malhotra took 27 faceoffs, winning 15.