Montreal, QC (Sports Network) – m Kostitsyn scored 1:25 into overtime, as the Montreal Canadiens extended their unbeaten streak against the Phoenix Coyotes to 12 games with a 3-2 victory at Bell Centre.
Kostitsyn’s Overtime Goal Lifts Habs To 3-2 Victory Over Coyotes
After some good offensive pressure, Lars Eller’s shot was turned aside by Ilya Bryzgalov, but Kostitsyn put home the rebound from in close on the left side to give Montreal the win.
Mike Cammalleri added a goal and an assist, while Tomas Plekanec also tallied for the Canadiens, who have won seven straight over Phoenix and improved to 9-0 with three ties since their last loss in this series on December 9, 1998 on the road. Kostitsyn added an assist in regulation.
“He’s playing great so far,” Plekanec said about Kostitsyn. “You can see the difference in our line. He makes things happen. We are expecting a lot of good things from him and that’s what we need.”
Carey Price was solid between the pipes for Montreal, stopping 27-of-29 shots. The Canadiens have won four of their last five overall.
Kyle Turris and Derek Morris had a goal each for Phoenix, which hasn’t picked up a victory in Montreal since October 28, 1996, its first season in Phoenix since relocating from Winnipeg. The club is 0-6 with a pair of ties in eight trips since. Bryzgalov made 26 saves in defeat.
“I’m really trying to put everything on net, trying to get open,” Turris said. My linemates are playing great and we are feeding off each other, and creating chances. We just have to keep going.”
Goaltending was the story in a scoreless first period as Price turned aside 11 shots, while Bryzgalov made 10 saves with many of the chances coming on the power play.
However, Turris got the Coyotes on the board 2:49 into the second stanza. Wojtek Wolski gathered the puck behind the net and spotted Turris, who beat Price between the pads with a wrist shot from in close.
Montreal, though, responded with a pair just over two minutes apart. Plekanec’s rebound tally from the left circle pulled the Canadiens even at 7:14. Then, while on the power play, Cammalleri took a pass from Roman Hamrlik along the half wall, skated into the right circle and fired a wrister past Bryzgalov on the blocker side for a 2-1 Canadiens lead at 9:23.
Morris’ power-play tally on a blast from the top of the right circle 1:01 into the third tied things at 2-2, and neither side could light the lamp the rest of the stanza despite having numerous chances.
Phoenix captain Shane Doan concluded a three-game suspension for a hit to the head versus the Ducks last Sunday…Each team finished 1-for-5 on the power play…Turris has three goals in the last two games.
See More:
