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Pacioretty's OT tally lifts Canadiens over Bruins

Jan 9, 2011 - 4:10 AM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Max Pacioretty's goal with 1:17 left in overtime finished off a three-goal rally to put Montreal over Boston, 3-2, at Bell Centre.

Pacioretty tipped in P.K. Subban's centering pass on an 2-on-1 rush, which sealed the game and also put Montreal in a tie with Boston atop the Northeast Division at 49 points.

"It's the biggest goal of my life," Pacioretty said. "I can't really describe how I feel right now, but it's definitely an honor to help this team win like that. It's the biggest game of the year."

Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta each posted goals for the Canadiens, who have won two straight in extra time. Carey Price turned away 27-of-29 shots in the win.

Patrice Bergeron tallied the two goals for the Bruins, who have dropped four of their last five games. Tim Thomas had 39 saves in the losing effort.

Montreal scored two goals in the final 2:22 of regulation to send the game into overtime.

The first goal came during a power play. Off an offensive zone faceoff win, Mathieu Darche wristed a shot from the left boards. The puck was tipped by Gomez and it trickled toward the net. Thomas didn't see the redirection as it fluttered between his legs to make it a 2-1 game.

The game was forced into overtime thanks to the pressure of the Canadiens' extra attacker after pulling Price. James Wisniewski sent a slap shot from the point and Gionta deflected it past the right leg of Thomas with just 48 seconds remaining in regulation.

"They had that late game momentum and we couldn't take it back from them," Bergeron said. "We were back on our heels and panicked a little bit. It should have never have gone to overtime."

After a scoreless opening period, Boston took advantage of a Habs defensive zone turnover to take a 1-0 lead 4:18 into the middle period. Brad Marchand picked off a lazy pass and then crossed it to Blake Wheeler. He then centered it to Bergeron for the tap in.

The Bruins extended the lead, 2-0, at the 12:27 mark of the same period with Bergeron's second goal of the game. He tallied the goal after collecting a rebound from Zdeno Chara's shot and then wrapped it around Price.

Game Notes

Pacioretty also had an assist in the win...Boston is now 12-5-4 as the road club this season...Montreal was 1-for-3 on the power play, while Boston failed to score on three man-advantage opportunities...The Bruins did not get a shot off in overtime.