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Pacioretty sends Canadiens past Rangers

Jan 16, 2012 - 4:11 AM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Max Pacioretty had two goals and an assist, helping the Montreal Canadiens handle the New York Rangers, 4-1.

David Desharnais had a goal and two assists for the Canadiens, who snapped a three-game skid. Mike Blunden also lit the lamp and Peter Budaj made 28 saves for the victors.

"We felt good for the past couple of games and we were waiting to have a game like this," Pacioretty said. "Hopefully we can keep it going."

John Mitchell scored the lone goal for the Rangers, who have dropped two of three.

Henrik Lundqvist made 25 saves for New York, which has lost six in a row at Montreal.

Pacioretty gathered a loose puck in the slot and beat Lundqvist just 2:39 into the game.

Mitchell jammed home a rebound in front at the 12:49 mark to make it a 1-1 game.

Montreal scored three times in the middle stanza to build a comfortable lead. Erik Cole's shot from the point was deflected in by Pacioretty at the 3:54 mark.

Blunden's one-timer from the right circle gave the Canadiens a 3-1 edge at the 7:11 mark, and Desharnais lit the lamp with 7:42 remaining to make it a three- goal contest.

Budaj made 11 saves in the second period and seven in the third.

"We had no structure defensively," New York head coach John Tortorella said. "That was our biggest problem."

Game Notes

The Rangers haven't won in Montreal since March 17, 2009...New York had a four-game road winning streak snapped...Rene Bourque made his Rangers debut on Sunday. Bourque, who was coming off a five-game suspension, was acquired on Thursday from Calgary in a deal that sent Mike Cammalleri back to the Flames...New York was without forwards Brandon Dubinsky (shoulder) and Ruslan Fedotenko (back).