MONTREAL - Tomas Plekanec scored the winner late in the third period to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.
Brendan Gallagher also scored for Montreal (18-10-2), while Max Pacioretty added an empty-net goal at 19:59 of the third. Carey Price stopped 15 shots.
Derek Dorsett was the lone goal scorer for Vancouver (18-9-2). Ryan Miller made 21 saves in defeat.
The game marked the end of a seven-game road trip that had the Canucks go 3-3-1.
Meanwhile the Canadiens, which ended a three-game skid, are now 15-1-1 when tied or leading after two periods.
Plekanec scored the game-winner at 15:44 of the final frame after tipping a beautiful pass from youngster Sven Andrighetto into the roof of the net.
The Canadiens outshot a weary-looking Canucks team by a margin of 24-16.
Alex Galchenyuk replaced David Desharnais as centreman next to Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher and created several offensive opportunities for his new linemates.
