Lars Eller scored his 15th goal of the season on a shot from along the boards past Jimmy Howard early into overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Montreal Thursday.
Jeff Petry and Andrei Markov both scored one goal and one assist, while P.K. Subban notched two assists in the victory. Tomas Plekanec also scored.
Tomas Tatar, Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm scored in regulation time for the Red Wings (42-25-14), who reached the post-season for a 24th consecutive season despite the defeat. Detroit qualified by earning a point while Boston lost to Florida in regulation time.
The Red Wings came out strong and got the opening goal when Datysuk stripped the puck from Brendan Gallagher and fed Tatar creaking to the net for a high shot past Price at 10:19.
Markov got it back when David Desharnais won a faceoff and the Russian defenceman scored on a one-timer from the point at 17:36.
Price wears Habs goalie crown
With the victory Carey Price set the Canadiens' all-time season win record with 43 victories, breaking a tie with Jacques Plante and Ken Dryden, who both managed 42 wins. In a post-game on-ice interview Price credited his teammates for their fine play in helping him defend his cage and said that he only started thinking about the record in about the "last week of the season."
Price was loudly cheered during his interview and David Desharnais said that it was an ovation well-deserved.
“It’s my fifth year with him and you keep thinking he can’t get better and yet every year he works so hard. He’s there 30 minutes before the practice and stays after it's over. He’s been exceptional and gives us a chance to win every game,” said David Desharnais in a televised interview with RDS.
Coach Michel Therrien saluted the effort from his squad and his goaltender Price in particular.
“We’re really privileged to be part of that. He’s an exceptional person, a great leader and it’s well deserved. You could see the reaction from the players. Everyone and all our fans, we were excited about that record. It’s phenomenal,” said Coach Michel Therrien.
“The players showed a lot of character. Look at the game tonight, we were trailing in the third period and we never gave up,” said Therrien following the game. “We’re a team in transition with a lot of young players and we’re at 108 points, it’s a good result.”
Montreal defenceman Tom Gilbert and sniper Max Pacioretty were sidelined with upper body injuries. Greg Pateryn and Brian Flynn replaced them in the lineup.
The Red Wings outshot the Canadiens 29-25. The Canadiens complete their regular season Saturday in Toronto, possibly with backup Dustin Tokarski getting the nod in the start.
First Period
1. Detroit, Tatar 29 (Datsyuk, Zetterberg) 10:19.
2. Montreal, Markov 10 (Subban, Desharnais) 17:36.
Penalties -- Desharnais Mtl (holding) 6:21.
Second Period
3. Montreal, Petry 7 (Mitchell, Prust) 6:24.
4. Detroit, Datsyuk 26 (Zetterberg, Kronwall) 8:07.
Penalties -- DeKeyser Det (interference) 3:50, Prust Mtl (holding) 11:57, Emelin Mtl (hooking) 15:34.
Third Period
5. Detroit, Helm 15 (unassisted) 3:34 (sh).
6. Montreal, Plekanec 25 (Markov, Subban) 11:39 (pp).
Penalties -- Quincey Det (interference) 2:20, Desharnais Mtl (tripping) 7:42, DeKeyser Det (tripping) 9:59, Det Bench (delay of game) 11:07, Smith-Pelly Mtl (tripping) 12:43.
Overtime
7. Montreal, Eller 15 (Petry) 1:21.
Penalties --
None.
Shots on goal by
Detroit 11 10 8 0 -- 29
Montreal 8 11 4 2 -- 25
Goal --
Power plays (goal-chances) -- Detroit: 0-5; Montreal: 1-4.
at Montreal.
