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Kovalev delivers overtime win against Penguins

Sep 18, 2007 - 3:47 AM By Mark Lidbetter PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Alexei Kovalev buried a wrist shot behind Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury with 29 seconds remaining in overtime, giving the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 overtime victory on Monday.

Defenseman Mark Streit laid a pass from just over the center red line to Kovalev, who was in full flight alongside the right boards in the Penguins' zone. Kovalev broke to the net, drew back and nailed the top left corner to end the game.

The two opponents were playing three-on-three hockey in the closing minute of the overtime period with Montreal taking full advantage of the extra skating room.

Kovalev was involved in all three Canadiens' goals as he assisted on the first two prior to his game-winning tally.

Montreal got on the board first at 6:41 of the second period with right winger Andrei Kostitsyn banging in the puck at the right post on a rebound off of Fleury created by a blast from the left point by Kovalev with the Canadiens enjoying a 4-on-3 advantage.

Pittsburgh pulled even on Sidney Crosby's goal at 17:04 of the second. The Hart Trophy winner added an assist on Ryan Malone's goal at 14:50 of the third period that tied the contest at 2-2.

The game kicked off each teams' exhibition seasons. The two teams meet again Tuesday at the Bell Center.