Canadiens come back to beat Canucks
MONTREAL: Montreal’s David Desharnais scored 3:25 into overtime to cap the Canadiens comeback from three goals down to beat Vancouver 4-3 on Monday.
The win moved the Canadiens nine points clear atop the NHL Atlantic Division and level on points with the New York Rangers, with the two teams already establishing themselves as the Eastern Conference heavyweights.
Among other results, David Backes led St Louis to victory over Winnipeg, and the New York Islanders had a comfortable home victory against Arizona.
Vancouver looked in control after Adam Cracknell and Jared McCann scored in the first period and Daniel Sedin had a powerplay goal early in the second.
Lars Eller and Max Pacioretty scored for Montreal, and Tomas Fleischmann — playing his 600th NHL game — tied the scores with 3:08 left in regulation.
In overtime, Desharnais completed a tic-tac-toe play with PK Subban and Fleischmann on a rush with a one-timer from the right side.
St Louis’ Backes had two goals and an assist to help the Blues beat Winnipeg 3-2.
Blues coach Ken Hitchcock moved Backes up to the first line with wingers Tarasenko and Alexander Steen and the trio responded.
Vladimir Tarasenko added a goal and an assist for the Blues.
Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little scored for the Jets, who have lost five straight.
John Tavares had two goals and an assist to lead the Islanders past Arizona 5-2.
Frans Nielsen, Brock Nelson and Steve Bernier also scored for the Islanders.
Martin Hanzal and Mikkel Boedker scored in the third period for Arizona. Hanzal’s was just his third goal of the season but boosted his team-leading point total to 17.
Detroit’s Tomas Tatar scored on a breakaway 2:04 into overtime to lift the Red Wings over Ottawa 4-3.
Florida’s Aaron Ekblad scored with 20 seconds left to give the Panthers a 1-0 win over state rival Tampa Bay.
Anaheim’s Carl Hagelin broke out of a slump with a goal and two assists, lifting the Ducks over Carolina 4-1.