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Higgins, Ryder lift Canadiens over Capitals

Feb 21, 2007 - 5:11 AM MONTREAL (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens have had trouble scoring goals during their recent slump. Michael Ryder and Christopher Higgins did their part to turn things around.

Ryder and Higgins each scored twice to lead the Canadiens to a 5-3 victory over the Washington Capitals.

Montreal, 2-6-0 in its last eight, entered with just 13 goals in its last seven games.

"We knew that this game tonight was a big game for us, especially going on the road," Ryder said. "We have a lot of road games coming up, so to go on the road with a bit of momentum is good. I think the team's confidence is coming back."

Montreal plays four of its next five on the road.

"It was out of character, some of the penalties that we took, especially when you're playing against one of the better power-play teams in the league," Washington coach Glen Hanlon said. "It's something we addressed. Maybe we were overanxious to play the game, and that's what happened."

Garth Murray also scored for Montreal, which went 3-for-7 on the power play.

After Higgins gave the Canadiens at 1-0 lead at 7:33 of the first period, he and Ryder scored power-play goals 49 seconds apart later in the session for a 3-0 advantage.

Ryder gave Montreal a 2-0 lead at 14:48 when his slap shot from the left circle beat goaltender Brent Johnson. Higgins made it 3-0 at 15:37 when he redirected a pass from Saku Koivu past Johnson.

Higgins left the game early in the third period and did not return.

"It's upper body, we'll know more tomorrow," Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau said. "It was good to see him finally get some goals and get his confidence back. I think that line tonight (Ryder, Saku Koivu and Higgins) was extraordinary. They were skating well, and they were moving the puck well."

Brian Sutherby, defenseman Jamie Heward and Alexander Semin scored for Washington, which is 1-4-1 in its last six.

Montreal rookie goaltender Jaroslav Halak made 15 saves for his second win in two career starts.

"It was definitely tough," Halak said. "They didn't have a lot of shots on me, so I was kind of cold. It's better when the other team is shooting more, but we got the two points, and that was important."

Washington's Alex Ovechkin, fourth in the league with 34 goals, was blanked. He has just two points in his last eight contests.

"I feel in good shape, I felt great in the first period, but we had those penalties and I was on the bench," Ovechkin said. "It is hard to go to the net when you're sitting on the bench.

"It's not luck it's only me. Sometimes it happens, and that's OK. I go out next game and try to score a goal."