Montreal, QC (Sports Network) – Andrei Kostitsyn recorded a goal and an assist while Carey Price made 24 saves, as the Montreal Canadiens topped the sliding Los Angeles Kings, 4-1, at Bell Centre.
Mike Cammalleri, Tomas Plekanec and Lars Eller also scored for the Canadiens, who have won their last six games against Los Angeles.
Jonathan Bernier started in the Kings’ net as Jonathan Quick rested, and gave up all four goals on 33 shots. Alec Martinez tallied the lone goal for LA, which has lost two in a row and five of six overall.
Kostitsyn’s goal came during a power play, as he carried the puck into the Kings’ zone before burying a wrister from the right circle at 9:59.
Cammalleri made it a 2-0 game with 2:23 left in the first, though Martinez got the goal back shortly into the middle period.
With Los Angeles on the man advantage, Justin Williams sent the puck from the left point toward the goal, and Martinez managed to backhand it into the net at 1:57.
But a little more than a minute later, Plekanec’s slap shot gave Montreal a 3-1 lead. Then, with 1:53 left in the second, Eller wristed a shot as he turned in the slot, and the puck got by Bernier.
Price made nine saves in the third period to secure the win.
Game Notes
This was the only meeting of the season between the teams. The Kings have not beaten Montreal since March 8, 2003…Williams recorded his 13th assist and has a team-best 22 points. He has gone without a point in only three games this season.
For more Kings news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Jewels From The Crown.