Deadspin: Josh Anderson Leads Canadiens to Edge Pens for Fifth Straight Win
Anderson drives Montreal attack
Lane Hutson had two assists, and Jacob Fowler stopped 25 shots for the Canadiens. Montreal has now won five consecutive games.
Crosby reaches assist milestone
Crosby added another assist later in the period to reach 1,113 career assists. He scored with 3:11 remaining, pulling Pittsburgh within one during a goalmouth scramble as Murashov was off for an extra attacker.
Montreal rallies and pulls ahead
Karlsson gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal 2:08 into the game. Montreal answered with goals from Kapanen at 2:41 and Anderson at 3:05, taking the lead on its first two shots.
Second-period goals decide game
Rakell cut the deficit to one 1:24 later. Anderson restored Montreal’s two-goal lead with 6:54 left in the period, when Hutson’s point shot hit Anderson and went in off Penguins defenseman Kris Letang.
Crosby’s late goal brought Pittsburgh within one, but Montreal held on for the win. The Penguins have lost two straight, with a record of 0-1-1 over that span.
Key points
- Josh Anderson scored two goals and had an assist in Montreal’s 5-4 win.
- The Canadiens have won five straight; Pittsburgh has lost two in a row.
- Sidney Crosby passed Ray Bourque for the most assists with one franchise.
- Crosby reached 1,113 career assists and scored late to bring Pittsburgh within one.