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Lucic, Bruins edge Canadiens

Jan 13, 2012 - 9:06 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Milan Lucic netted the game-deciding goal early in the third period, leading the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden.

Jordan Caron scored the other goal and Tim Thomas made 33 saves for the Bruins, who have won two straight and four of their last five contests.

"It was just one of those games where you have to fight it through to get to the end and hopefully get the result," said Lucic. "It wasn't our best effort but we found a way to win."

Yannic Weber scored the only goal for the Canadiens, who have lost two straight and four of their last six games. Carey Price gave up both goals on 30 shots in defeat.

Montreal played its first game without captain Brian Gionta, who underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a tear in his right biceps and is out indefinitely.

Montreal also pulled off a trade during the game, sending forward Michael Cammalleri, goalie Karri Ramo and a fifth round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft to the Calgary Flames in exchange for forwards Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland and a second round pick in the 2013 draft.

Cammalleri has nine goals and 22 points this season, but is a minus-6 in 37 games played.

The eventual game-winner came when the Bruins made it 2-0 at 3:43 of the third period with some good work in the offensive zone. David Krejci chased down a loose puck in the right corner and fed further behind the net to Nathan Horton. Horton then turned and found Lucic, who backhanded it past Price low to the blocker side from the slot.

Montreal finally got on the board with the power play following a double-minor on Bruins' defenseman Andrew Ference for roughing.

The Canadiens worked the man-advantage to perfection, moving the puck quickly and changing the point of attack in the offensive zone before Weber accepted a pass from Tomas Kaberle at the right point and ripped it past a screened Thomas to cut the deficit to 2-1 at 12:46 of the third period.

Montreal pulled Price with under two minutes to play in regulation while on the power play to create a 6-on-4 advantage, but the Bruins defense held strong and Boston came away with the win.

"I thought we played a good game tonight," Canadiens head coach Randy Cunneyworth said. "I thought we worked hard and battled hard, but it's obviously a good team that we were up against. We thought we were coming strong with that power-play goal."

Boston opened the scoring just 1:23 into the game with a little luck when Johnny Boychuk fired the puck deep into the offensive zone from the neutral zone. Price came out to play it, but it took an odd bounce off the end boards right out in front and Caron was there to slam it into the empty net to give the Bruins the 1-0 lead.

Game Notes

Thomas is 15-3-0 in his last 18 decisions...Boston is 11-2-0 against the Northeast Division this season, with both losses coming against the Canadiens...Bruins' forward Brad Marchand missed his second consecutive game while serving a five-game suspension for an incident on January 7 against the Vancouver Canucks...The Bruins improved to 16-2-0 when they score first...Boston failed to convert on five power play chances, while Montreal went 1-for-2 with the man advantage...Thomas, Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara were named to the All-Star Game for Boston, while Price will be the lone representative for the Canadiens.