Canadiens 4, Red Wings 1
MONTREAL -- The Montreal Canadiens' power play came to life to lift the club to a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night at Bell Centre.
Right winger Brendan Gallagher, defenseman Jeff Petry and centers Tomas Plekanec and Brian Flynn scored for the Canadiens (6-0-0). Center Dylan Larkin replied for the Red Wings (3-2-0).
Goaltender Carey Price stopped 21 shots for Montreal. Counterpart Petr Mrazek made 37 saves for Detroit.
The Red Wings nearly took advantage of the Canadiens' pinching defense in the final minute of the first period, breaking out on a 2-on-0. Center Gusta Nyqvist was denied by Price.
Montreal had several quality chances to open the scoring early in the second period. A wrap-around attempt was denied and a 2-on-1 with defenseman Andrei Markov and left winger Max Pacioretty couldn't get the puck past Mrazek.
Larkin continued his hot streak at 4:47 of the second period. Driving to the net with Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban on his back, Larkin skated to the bottom of the right circle and banked the puck in off Price's pad. The goal, Larkin's second of the season, extended the rookie's season-opening point streak to five games.
It also marked the first time in six games that the Canadiens had given up the first goal and trailed at all.
Gallagher evened things up on the power play at 7:44. Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey attempted to clear the puck away from the crease, but it hit Gallagher's skate as he was falling. The puck and Gallagher ended up in the net and, after a lengthy review, the winger was awarded his first score of the season.
The power play connected again at 6:32 of the third period to give the Canadiens a 2-1 lead. With center David Desharnais screening Mrazek, Petry's shot from the point found the back of the net.
Plekanec scored his team-leading fifth of the season at 17:56. Gallagher stole the puck off Red Wings defenseman Mike Green in the corner and fed Plekanec, alone in the slot.
Flynn scored into an empty net at 19:59 to cap Montreal's scoring.
NOTES: Referee Marc Joannette was recognized for working his 1,000th NHL game. ... Canadiens D Andrei Markov appeared in his 852nd NHL game, tying him with Mario Tremblay for 16th on Montreal's all-time list. ... Red Wings C Darren Helm and D Danny DeKeyser made their season debuts after recovering from injuries. Detroit scratched D Brendan Smith, RW Tomas Jurco and C Landon Ferraro. ... Montreal kept the same lineup as in its first five games, leaving LW Paul Byron, D Jarred Tinordi and D Greg Pateryn as the healthy scratches. ... Canadiens C Tomas Plekanec, who signed a two-year contract extension Friday, suited up for his 767th game, moving into sole possession of 24th place on the team's all-time list.