CGY@MTL: Postgame

MONTREAL - Fresh off their 2-1 overtime victory in Ottawa over the weekend, the Canadiens won their second straight game on Monday, defeating the red-hot Calgary Flames 2-0 at the Bell Centre.

It was a special game for forward Nick Cousins, as it was the 300th of his NHL career. Cousins also played his 200th career game against Calgary back on November 25, 2018.

With Derek Ryan in the box for slashing, the Habs registered three of their 17 shots in the opening frame on their first power play of the night. They generated a number of quality scoring chances in large part thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk, but couldn't convert.
The Habs were buzzing all period and did not allow the Flames much time outside their own end. Their efforts paid off with 6:30 remaining in the first. After Jeff Petry made a wraparound attempt, Jordan Weal recovered the puck and shot it through traffic from in close to give the Canadiens a 1-0 lead with his fifth of the season.

Petry earned a helper on the play, making it the third straight game in which he's earned a point. Dale Weise got the secondary assist.
That's where things would stand after 20 minutes, with the Canadiens also ahead 17-7 in shots.
The Canadiens had two more power play opportunities in the second, and despite generating four shots on net with the man advantage, they couldn't capitalize.
In fact, neither team would score in the middle frame. The Habs once again outshot the Flames in the second, this time by a 15-9 margin, and held onto their 1-0 lead heading into the final stanza.
Montreal added to its lead at 9:45 of the third. Ryan Poehling recovered the puck off the faceoff to the left of David Rittich and, in front of the net, exercised supreme patience in waiting for the perfect moment to lift the puck over the Flames starter to make it 2-0.
It was Poehling's first goal - and first point - of the season.

The Flames pulled Rittich with just under four minutes to go in regulation, but weren't able to get on the board before time ran out.
With 31 saves against Calgary on Monday, Carey Price earned his second shutout of the season. It was also the 46th of his career, moving him into a tie with Ken Dryden for third all-time on the Canadiens.