Kovalchuk’s OT goal gives Canadiens 2-1 win over Senators

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Ilya Kovalchuk’s winner with 52 seconds left in overtime helped the Montreal Canadiens snap an eight-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.

Coming into the game, neither team had won since Dec. 23.

Montreal avoided losing nine games in a row for the first time this season. The Senators are 0-4-3 over their last seven games.

Nick Suzuki scored in regulation and Carey Price stopped 41 shots for the Canadiens, who signed Kovalchuk last week. The 36-year-old Russian had three assists in his first three games with Montreal before scoring the game-winning goal. The Los Angeles Kings put Kovalchuk on waivers last month.

The Senators were coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to the Red Wings in Detroit the previous night. Marcus Hogberg, who got his second start in as many nights, kept Ottawa in the game making 23 saves.

Trailing 1-0, the Senators were finally able to beat Price at 13:32 of the third period on a broken play. Anthony Duclair came into the slot and was unable to get a shot off before a loose puck was inadvertently redirected into the net by Montreal’s Matthew Peca. Drake Batherson, the last Senator to touch the puck, was credited with the goal.

Both goalies were at their finest in the second making a number of big stops.

Hogberg made a great save on Artturi Lehkonen midway through the period. Price made a big save on Chris Tierney as he broke in alone with Ottawa shorthanded. The Senators were swarming in the final minute of the period, but could not find a way to beat Price.

Notes: Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki missed his second straight game due to the flu. … The Canadiens were without Brendan Gallagher as he was dealing with headaches following Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Edmonton. Prior to that game, Gallagher had missed four straight games due to a concussion. … Peca made his return to the lineup after missing the last 14 games.

UP NEXT

Canadiens: Host Calgary on Monday night.

Senators: Host Chicago on Tuesday night.