National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 3
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 9, 2013
Where: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
Referees: Brian Pochmara, Brad Watson
Linesmen: Scott Driscoll, Ryan Galloway
Attendance: 19204

Canadiens 4, Lightning 3: Rookie Brendan Gallagher capped a three-goal, third-period comeback by scoring with 7:57 remaining to lift visiting Montreal.

Captain Brian Gionta triggered the rally on the power play and set up defenseman Alexei Emelin's tying goal as the Canadiens won in Tampa Bay for the second time this season and improved to 10-1-3 in their last 14 games.

Tomas Plekanec also scored and Carey Price overcame a wobbly second period to make 20 saves as Montreal won for the third time on a five-game road trip that concludes Sunday at Florida.

Steven Stamkos scored his league-leading 19th goal and defenseman Sami Salo and Ryan Malone also scored in a three-goal second period. Tampa Bay lost for the seventh time in eight games and dropped its fourth straight at home.

Gionta's power-play goal from a scrum in front at 3:49 of the third started the comeback against former Montreal farmhand Cedrick Desjardins, who made 25 saves in his third career start - and first since Jan. 1, 2011. Emelin's blast from the point tied it at 7:33 before Gallagher wedged the puck past Desjardins for the game-winner.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Canadiens LW Brandon Prust slammed into the boards while trying to prevent an icing call in the third period and appeared to injure his shoulder. ... Lightning RW Martin St. Louis picked up his 26th and 27th assists - second in the league - to extend his points streak to six games. ... C Gabriel Dumont and D Greg Pateryn were in the lineup for Montreal after being called up from its American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton. Pateryn took the spot of D Yannick Weber, who was sent back to Montreal for further tests on his knee.
Top Game Performances
 
Montreal   Tampa Bay
Brian Gionta 2 Points Steven Stamkos 2
Brian Gionta 1 Goals Steven Stamkos 1
Michael Ryder 2 Assists Martin St. Louis 2
N/A Power Play Goals Ryan Malone 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Carey Price .870 Save Percentage Cedrick Desjardins .862
Carey Price 20 Saves Cedrick Desjardins 25
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Montreal 29 4 0-3 1-2 6 28
Tampa Bay 23 3 1-2 3-3 8 40
Upcoming Games
  • Tampa Bay will play their next game on the road against Florida. The Lightning have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .286 after a loss.
  • Montreal will play their next game on the road against Florida. The Canadiens have a W/L % of .600 after a win and .778 after a loss.