The bottom line: Evgeny Kuznetsov scored at 8:12 of the third period to snap a 1-1 tie and the Washington Capitals went on to defeat the Canadiens 4-1 Monday at the Bell Centre. Kuznetsov stepped inside defenceman Jeff Petry and had a clear path to Carey Price. Brett Connolly added an insurance goal at 11:00 and Alex Ovechkin tied Maurice Richard’s total of 544 goals at 16:36. Braden Holtby, last season’s Vézina Trophy winner, made 22 saves to boost his career record against Montreal to 9-1-2. Price made 35 saves.
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry (26) congratulates teammate Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec (14) on Plekanec’s goal against the Washington Capitals during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
Plekanec beats the clock: Tomas Plekanec tied the game at 7:18 of the third period, burying a rebound of a shot by Paul Byron with one second remaining in a power play. The Canadiens came close earlier in the advantage as Shea Weber and Plekanec both hit goal posts.
Montreal Canadiens’ Artturi Lehkonen (62) and Boston Bruins’ Adam McQuaid (54) flip in the air after colliding during third period NHL action in Montreal on Monday December 12, 2016. The Bruins won 2-1 in OT.
Where they’re at: The Canadiens continue to lead the Atlantic Division with 56 points. They are nine points ahead of the Boston Bruins and they hold two games in hand. It was the sixth consecutive win for the Capitals, who move into third place in the Metropolitan Division. They have 57 points and are tied in points with Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers. The Penguins have the edge because they have played 39 games while Washington has played 40. The Rangers dropped into fourth place because they have played 42 games.
Washington Capitals’ T.J. Oshie (77) celebrates his goal with teammate Nicklas Backstrom (19) during first period NHL hockey against the Ottawa Senators, in Ottawa on Saturday, January 7, 2017.
Capitals set the pace: Washington outshot Montreal 12-7 in the first period and grabbed a 1-0 lead when Nicklas Backstrom scored at 11:03. Price made a save on Alex Ovechkin but left a rebound and Backstrom scored on a backhander for his 10th goal of the season.
Gallery: Habs vs. Capitals
Action from the Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals NHL game at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Monday Jan. 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec (14) is checked by Washington Capitals centre Liam O'Brien (87) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec (14) is checked by Washington Capitals centre Liam O'Brien (87) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Washington Capitals defenceman Matt Niskanen (2) clears the puck from behind the net while Washington Capitals left wing Marcus Johansson (90) impedes Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov (47) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Washington Capitals defenceman Matt Niskanen (2) clears the puck from behind the net while Washington Capitals left wing Marcus Johansson (90) impedes Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov (47) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom (19) and Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) battle for the puck along the boards during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom (19) and Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) battle for the puck along the boards during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![The Montreal Canadiens played host to the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
The Montreal Canadiens played host to the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens right wing Bobby Farnham (44) collides awkwardly against Washington Capitals defenceman Nate Schmidt (88) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens right wing Bobby Farnham (44) collides awkwardly against Washington Capitals defenceman Nate Schmidt (88) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens right wing Sven Andrighetto (42) is caught between the boards by Washington Capitals defenceman Karl Alzner (27) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens right wing Sven Andrighetto (42) is caught between the boards by Washington Capitals defenceman Karl Alzner (27) during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens right wing Bobby Farnham (44) and Washington Capitals defenceman Karl Alzner (27) collide along the boards during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens right wing Bobby Farnham (44) and Washington Capitals defenceman Karl Alzner (27) collide along the boards during 1st period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber (6) and goalie Carey Price (31) watch the loose puck roll to the corner during 2nd period NHL action against the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber (6) and goalie Carey Price (31) watch the loose puck roll to the corner during 2nd period NHL action against the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) has his eye on the loose puck during 2nd period NHL action against Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) has his eye on the loose puck during 2nd period NHL action against Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov (47) checks Washington Capitals defenceman Dmitry Orlov (9) against the boards as Montreal Canadiens left wing Phillip Danault (24) takes the loose puck during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov (47) checks Washington Capitals defenceman Dmitry Orlov (9) against the boards as Montreal Canadiens left wing Phillip Danault (24) takes the loose puck during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) tries to get the loose puck against Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) tries to get the loose puck against Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber (6) and teammate goalie Carey Price (31) eye the puck during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber (6) and teammate goalie Carey Price (31) eye the puck during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) can't locate the loose puck in the feet of Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) with teammate Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber (6) looking on during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) can't locate the loose puck in the feet of Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) with teammate Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Weber (6) looking on during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) battles for the loose puck in front of Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) battles for the loose puck in front of Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry (26) congratulates teammate Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec (14) on Plekanec's goal against the Washington Capitals during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry (26) congratulates teammate Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec (14) on Plekanec's goal against the Washington Capitals during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec (14) can't get the puck from Washington Capitals centre Jay Beagle (83) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec (14) can't get the puck from Washington Capitals centre Jay Beagle (83) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) can't score against Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) can't score against Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) scored his 544th goal (career point 999) against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017 to tie Rocket Richard for 29th on the all-time goal scoring list.]()
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) scored his 544th goal (career point 999) against Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during 3rd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017 to tie Rocket Richard for 29th on the all-time goal scoring list.
-
![Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) congratulates goalie Braden Holtby (70) after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017. Ovechkin (8) scored his 544th goal (career point 999) to tie Rocket Richard for 29th on the all-time goal scoring list.]()
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) congratulates goalie Braden Holtby (70) after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017. Ovechkin (8) scored his 544th goal (career point 999) to tie Rocket Richard for 29th on the all-time goal scoring list.
-
![Montreal Canadiens defenceman Alexei Emelin (74) heads up ice against the Washington Capitals during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens defenceman Alexei Emelin (74) heads up ice against the Washington Capitals during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
-
![Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) gets to the loose puck before Washington Capitals centre Jay Beagle (83) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.]()
Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) gets to the loose puck before Washington Capitals centre Jay Beagle (83) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
More of the same: The second period was a carbon-copy of the first although neither team was able to score. The Capitals continued to dominate the play and outshot the Canadiens 16-8. Each team had a good scoring chance after killing off a penalty. Bobby Farnham came out of the box to join an odd-man rush. He took a cross-ice pass from Max Pacioretty but Holtby made the save. A few minutes later, Kuznetsov came out of the box and had a breakaway but couldn’t beat Price.
Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) tries to get the loose puck against Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during 2nd period NHL action at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Monday, January 9, 2017.
Quick return for Byron: Left winger Byron was back in the lineup after missing only one game with an upper-body injury. He replaced Daniel Carr while Nikita Scherbak, who scored in his NHL debut Saturday in Toronto, received another start. Andrei Markov and Alex Galchenyuk have been cleared for contact but remain on the injured-reserve list.
Milestone for Trotz: Washington coach Barry Trotz was behind the bench for his 1,400th NHL game and he posted his 684th win, which pulls him even with the late Pat Quinn for seventh place on the all-time NHL wins list. Trotz has a long way to go before catching Scotty Bowman, the all-time leader with 1,244 victories.
Related
Back on the road: Just as the Canadiens were adjusting to home cooking and sleeping in their own beds, they’re looking at a couple of days of frigid temperatures with back-to-back games in Winnipeg Wednesday (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet, RDS, TSN 690 Radio) and Minnesota Thursday. The Canadiens are back home to play the New York Rangers Saturday.
