Canadiens 3, Capitals 2 (OT): Plekanec’s OT Goal Gives Montreal Game 1

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Tomas Plekanec scored the game-winning goal 13:19 into overtime to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at Verizon Center.

Mike Cammalleri and Scott Gomez also scored for Montreal, which is in the playoffs for the third straight season after failing to qualify in 2006-07. The previous two postseason appearances have not been kind to the Canadiens, who were ousted in the second round in five games in 2008 and were swept by the Bruins in the first round last spring.

Jaroslav Halak, in his first career postseason start, was outstanding with 45 saves in the win.

Joe Corvo and Nick Backstrom scored for the Capitals, who won the Presidents' Trophy as the top team in the NHL this season and are attempting to improve on their playoff woes of a year ago when they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the conference semifinal round.

Jose Theodore, a former league MVP with the Habs, turned aside 35 shots in the losing effort.