Pacioretty scores lone goal as Habs fall 4-1 to Senators

OTTAWA - Jean-Gabriel Pageau's first goal of the season proved to be the game winner Thursday night as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1.

Mika Zibanejad, Erik Karlsson and Erik Condra also scored for the Senators (18-17-8). Craig Anderson stopped 25 shots in his 399th game and has allowed two goals or less in eight of his last ten starts.

Max Pacioretty scored the lone goal for the Canadiens (27-13-3) as Dustin Tokarski turned away 31-of-34 shots.

This marked the Senators first home game since returning from a four-game road trip, where Ottawa went 1-2-1, and they looked motivated from the start right through the final buzzer.

Holding a 3-1 lead to open the third period, the Senators were determined not to make the same mistake they did in Dallas two nights prior when they squandered a two-goal lead to eventually lose the game.

Ottawa played a sound defensive game and kept things simple as the Canadiens did their best to rally.

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  Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban collides with Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot along the boards during second period NHL action Thursday January 15, 2015 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

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  Ottawa Senators left wing Clarke MacArthur collides with Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski as Sergei Gonchar tries to control the puck during first period NHL action Thursday January 15, 2015 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld