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Canadiens rally late, top Sens in OT

Mar 16, 2014 - 4:21 AM Montreal, QC (SportsNetwork.com) - Francis Bouillon scored 1:26 into overtime as the Montreal Canadiens rallied to stun the Ottawa Senators, 5-4, at Bell Centre.

The Canadiens avoided what would have been a season high-tying fourth straight loss in thrilling fashion.

Down 4-1 in the third period, they scored three times in the final 3:22, including David Desharnais' buzzer-beater.

On the game-winner, Max Pacioretty fired a shot from low in the right circle. Ottawa goalie Robin Lehner made the save and felt the puck was covered up. However, the referee didn't blow the play dead and Pacioretty dislodged the puck and Bouillon put it into the open net.

P.K. Subban assisted on all three of Montreal's third-period goals, while Carey Price made 30 saves in his return to the Canadiens' crease.

It was Price's first action since helping Canada win its second straight gold medal at last month's Olympics. He missed Montreal's first eight games following the NHL's resumption of play with a lower-body injury he aggravated in Russia.

The Senators extended their lead in the third period on goals from Ales Hemsky and Clarke MacArthur. Hemsky converted Jason Spezza's behind-the-net pass at 1:54 and Kyle Turris found MacArthur for a one-timer in the slot at 5:08.

"The final 3 1/2 minutes we tightened up, panicked. We didn't get over their red line," Ottawa head coach Paul MacLean said.

Montreal's improbable comeback began with Lars Eller scoring on a rebound from the doorstep at 16:38.

Brian Gionta beat a screened Lehner on a deflection from the right circle with 2:04 to play.

Turris went off for hooking 16 seconds later and the Canadiens pulled Price for a 6-on-4 advantage.

Montreal was buzzing around the Ottawa crease with relentless pressure and Desharnais narrowly beat the horn off a point feed from Subban.

"The second period was not our period, but after Eller's goal, we believed we could come back to win that game," Bouillon said.

Lehner stopped 43 shots for the Senators, who erased a 3-0 third-period deficit before losing in overtime to Nashville on Monday.

It was an auspicious start for the Canadiens as Daniel Briere scored 38 seconds into the game.

Turris won a neutral-zone faceoff, but the veteran Briere stole the puck from Bobby Ryan and beat Lehner from the high slot.

Spezza supplied a quick response for the Senators. Trailing on a rush, he jumped on a loose puck and blasted a slapper home at 3:08.

The Senators then got into penalty trouble, but the Canadiens were unable to capitalize on three first-period power plays.

Outshot 17-4 in the opening 20 minutes, Ottawa fired 16 shots in the second period and took a 2-1 lead late in the frame. Zack Smith handled a stretch pass from Erik Karlsson at the Montreal blueline and put home a rebound off his first attempt with 2:50 remaining.

Game Notes

Ottawa forward Chris Neil moved into sole possession of third place on the club's all-time games played list (839) ... Turris played in his 300th career game ... MacArthur returned to the Senators lineup after missing two games with a hand injury.