PRICE’S LUCK RUNS OUT IN OT
Comes one spectacular save short
B6
Lars Eller scored at 3:34 of overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 5-4 win over the Canadiens in an entertaining game Monday at the Bell Centre. Carey Price gave up five goals but he also produced a string of spectacular saves, including one on Alex Ovechkin with two seconds left in regulation. The Canadiens exploded for three goals in 76 seconds early in the second period to take a 4-2 lead. Brendan Gallagher started the comeback when he scored 20 seconds into the period. Jeff Petry gave Montreal a 3-2 lead when he scored on a power play at 1:08. This goal was significant because it marked Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s debut on the first power-play unit and the Finnish teenager poked the puck out of the crease to set up Petry. Kotkaniemi also earned an assist when Kenny Agostino deflected Artturi Lehkonen’s shot from the point at 1:35. It was Agostino’s first goal as a Canadien and it signalled the end of the night for Washington goaltender Pheonix Copley. He was replaced by Braden Holtby, who had missed two games with an upper-body injury. Holtby, who has an 11-2-2 record against Montreal, kept the Canadiens at bay long enough for the Capitals to pull even. Nicklas Backstrom scored before the second period was over. Alex Ovechkin tied it with his second goal of the game — and 15th of the season — at 1:02 of the third period. The cardinal rule when playing against the Capitals is to avoid taking a penalty, and there were two Canadiens in the box when Ovechkin tied the game. The Capitals were outshot 17-8 in the first period but managed to grab a 2-1 lead by taking advantage of defensive lapses in front of Price. Brett Connolly scored on a rebound of a John Carlson shot, which went off the end boards and came out of the other side of the crease. Ovechkin gave Washington the lead when he slipped in behind Jordie Benn and redirected a pass from Tom Wilson. Defenceman Mike Reilly returned to the lineup after two games as a healthy scratch, and he provided the Canadiens with their first goal midway through the opening period. Reilly managed to elude former Canadien Devante Smith-Pelly in the faceoff circle and then showed great patience as he tiptoed to the crease and lifted the puck behind Copley.