Goaltending makes the difference in Leafs win

Montreal holds on to division lead

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs scored on four of their first five shots and defeated the Canadiens 5-1 Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre. Goaltending was the difference in a game that illustrated why the Canadiens should be wary of a first-round playoff matchup against the Leafs. James Reimer made 36 saves as the Leafs beat the Canadiens for the third time in four meetings this season. Carey Price and Peter Budaj gave up five goals on the first nine shots they faced, although neither received much in the way of defensive help. Still No. 1: Despite the loss, the Canadiens maintained first place in the Northeast Division, which means if the season ended now they wouldn’t have to worry about the Leafs. Instead, the Canadiens would be hosting the New York Islanders. Montreal maintained its one-point lead over Boston in the division when the Bruins dropped a 4-2 decision to Carolina. Price isn’t right: Price was pulled at 10:25 of the first period after giving up three goals on four shots. The Leafs opened the scoring on a powerplay goal by Tyler Bozak at 1:54, made it 2-0 on a goal by Leo Komarov at 8:08 and sent Price to the bench with a goal by Jay McClement at 10:25. It was the earliest Price has been yanked in his NHL career. Budaj not much better: We might have had the ingredients for a goaltender controversy, but backup Budaj gave up a goal to Dion Phaneuf on the first shot he faced at 17:06 and Phil Kessel scored at 4:32 of the second to give the Leafs five goals on nine shots. Specialty items: The Canadiens’ string of seven games without giving up a powerplay goal ended when Bozak scored in the first. The Leafs were 1-for-5 with the extra man. The Canadiens’ power play, which ranked fourth in the NHL going into the game, was 0-for-4 and managed only three shots on net. He said it: When asked to characterize the MontrealToronto rivalry this season, Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said: “Lopsided scores.” He was almost right. The Leafs have won 6-0, 2-1 and 5-1. The Canadiens were 5-2 winners here Feb. 27. The teams meet in Toronto to close out the regular season April 27. What’s next: The Canadiens play four games in six nights beginning Monday when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., TSNHABS, RDS, TSN Radio 690). The Canadiens travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday and wrap up the week with their final two regularseason home games against Tampa Bay on Thursday and the Washington Capitals on Saturday.