Habs third period play get them to the shootout

Carbonneau: “I thought tonight was one of our best games”

ST. LOUIS (AP) -With the game on the line, the Montreal Canadiens relied on Alexei Kovalev to put the finishing touches on a victory.

He did just that, too, scoring the lone goal in a shootout to give the Canadiens a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night.

Kovalev beat Manny Legace with a high backhander on Montreal’s third shootout attempt after the Blues missed on all three of their shots in the tiebreaker.

“It was a pretty sweet deke,” Montreal winger Christopher Higgins said. “I don’t think anyone expects less from him right now because he’s such a skilled player. “

Kovalev followed Koivu and Andrei Kostitsyn in the shootout. Kostitsyn, who scored a goal and assisted on another in regulation, hit the crossbar with his attempt.

Kovalev went to the forehand, then pulled the puck back to his backhand and lifted the shot high over Legace.

“I knew he was going there, too,” Legace said. “I was just slow to react to it. He’s a good player and can put it where he put it, probably 2 feet over my pad. Not too many guys can pull it that quick and bang, in the back of the net.”

The Blues used Brad Boyes, David Perron and Keith Tkachuk in the shootout, but Carey Price made saves on Perron and Tkachuk.

Robert Lang also scored in regulation for the Canadiens, who won for only the second time in six games after starting the season 8-1-1. Carey Price stopped 24 shots.

The Canadiens were 0-for-10 on the power play and have scored twice in their last 36 chances. St. Louis was 1-for-9 with the man advantage.

Steve Regier scored twice for the Blues, and Legace also stopped 24 shots.

“We’re talking about a team that most experts picked to win the Eastern Conference this year,” Blues coach Andy Murray said, “and we lose in the shootout to them.

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