MONTREAL

Habs beat Rangers to snap six-game losing streak

The Canadian Press Published Thursday, February 22, 2018 10:24PM EST

Montreal Canadiens' Phillip Danault (24) celebrates with teammate Tomas Plekanec after scoring an empty net goal against the New York Rangers during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Thursday, February 22, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

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Antti Niemi made 31 saves as the Montreal Canadiens beat the struggling New York Rangers 3-1 on Thursday to snap their six-game losing skid.

Tomas Plekanec, Jeff Petry and Phillip Danault, in the empty net, scored for Montreal (23-29-8), which avoided matching its longest losing streak of the season. Niemi got the start in relief of the injured Carey Price.

Before the game, Montreal announced Price will be sidelined indefinitely with a concussion. The Canadiens goalie took a shot to the mask in Tuesday's loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Kevin Hayes scored the only goal for the visiting Rangers (27-29-5), who have lost five games in a row. Alexandar Georgiev, making his NHL debut, stopped 38-of-40 shots.

Earlier on Thursday, the team also announced veteran defenceman Shea Weber will miss the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery for a torn tendon in his left foot. The 32-year-old has not played since Dec. 16.

Hayes spoiled Niemi's shutout bid with exactly three minutes remaining in the third period. The Rangers forward appeared to have kicked the puck straight into the net, but instead deflected the puck with his stick before it crossed the line.