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Habs blow lead but defeat Wild in shootout

Mar 2, 2012 - 4:07 AM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - David Desharnais scored in the second round of the shootout, lifting the Montreal Canadiens to a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Wild.

Desharnais' goal was the lone tally of the shootout. On his attempt, Minnesota goaltender Josh Harding missed on his pokecheck try, and Desharnais lifted his backhander into the back of the net. Devin Setoguchi was the third and final shooter for the Wild, but tripped on his attempt.

Desharnais had a goal and two assists while Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban each added a tally and a helper for Montreal, which blew a three-goal lead in the final 3:53 of regulation. Lars Eller also lit the lamp for the Canadiens, who snapped a five-game losing streak. Carey Price made 26 saves in the win.

"Lately Dave (Desharnais) has come up huge and that's why we won this game. Dave is probably the best player I've ever played with. He's proven that the more people doubt him, the better he is," Pacioretty said.

Matt Kassian netted the first two goals of his career while Dany Heatley and Setoguchi also tallied for Minnesota, which has lost three of its last four games.

Niklas Backstrom stopped 5-of-6 shots before leaving in the first period. Harding came on and made 19 saves.

"It's too bad, we couldn't get that two points because I was really impressed and happy with the way our guys battled in the third period," Minnesota head coach Mike Yeo said. "We overcame a lot of adversity, a tough call early in the game. We were down 5-3 for an extended period of time and then we lose our starting goalie with a lower back injury. Then we did a lot of good things to come back."

Kassian's backhander off his own rebound made it a two-goal game, and with Harding on the bench, Heatley's wrister from the slot cut the margin to 4-3 with 1:43 remaining in regulation.

Pacioretty had a chance to ice the game as he skated towards a loose puck in the Wild zone, but was taken down from behind by Kurtis Foster. No penalty was called.

From the right boards behind the net, Matt Cullen threw a pass in front of Price and Setoguchi tipped it home with 10 seconds left to force an extra session.

The Canadiens quickly jumped out to a 2-0 advantage 4:28 into the first as Subban and Eller netted a pair of power-play goals.

Kassian got the Wild on the board late in the first period with a wrister to make it 2-1.

Montreal regained its two-goal edge midway through the second on the power play as Pacioretty's wrister from the right circle beat Harding on the short side.

Desharnais made it 4-1 at the 8:50 mark of the third. Pacioretty skated up the left wing and threw a backhander on net. Desharnais was in the crease to put home the rebound.

Game Notes

Nick Johnson had three assists for Minnesota...Tomas Kaberle had two helpers for the Canadiens...Montreal was 3-for-7 on the power play while Minnesota was 0-for-5 on the man advantage.