Toronto, Canada – MONTREAL (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins beat Montreal 3-2 on Thursday to record their fifth win in a row over the Canadiens.
Pascal Dupuis scored the game-winning goal with less than seven minutes left in the third period to halt Montreal's (15-15-2) win streak at three.
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby was held without a point in his second game back from a groin injury but the Penguins still peppered Montreal netminder Carey Price with 41 shots.
"We didn't give them a lot and we played really well," Crosby said. "It was a great win for us."
Sergei Gonchar gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead in the first period before Montreal struck back with goals from Matt D'Agostini and Roman Hamrlik in the second.
Matt Cooke tied the game on a tip-in at 17:45 in the second period before Dupuis scored the winner for the Penguins (21-10-1) at 13:21 of the third.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves to help Pittsburgh move back into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with New Jersey, one point behind Washington for the Eastern Conference lead.
It looked like Montreal had tied the game in the final minutes but a whistle blew before Scott Gomez put a puck in the net.
"I think the puck was loose, but the decision was taken during the play and we can't change it now, it's too late," said Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre.
"But I think the team gave a good effort. Carey played unbelievable again for us, and we still have to build on the last four games we've played."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.