Former Canadiens captain Brian Gionta got the game-winning goal as the Buffalo Sabres ended a 14-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over Montreal on Tuesday night.
Gionta's goal capped a three-goal first period for the Sabres (15-33-3), who won three of four meetings with Montreal (32-15-3) this season.
Drew Stafford and Matt Moulson also scored for Buffalo.
Brandon Prust and David Desharnais replied for the Canadiens, who lost a second game at home in a row. Montreal had a 34-18 shot advantage.
The Sabres were three losses short of the NHL record for consecutive defeats set by the 1974-75 Washington Capitals and 19992-93 San Jose Sharks.
The game was only 5:21 old when Stafford was left alone in front and scored on his second whack at the puck to put Buffalo ahead. It ended Carey Price's shutout streak at 158 minutes 24 seconds.
Prust came out of the penalty box, knocked down Tyler Myers and then finished a two on one with David Desharnais to tie it at 8:15.
But Moulson was along in front to spin and beat Price between the pads at 14:53 and then Gionta had a pass go in off defenceman Nathan Beaulieu's skate at 19:19.
Desharnais was the doorstep to bang in a Dale Weise feed 4:20 into the third frame.
