DeBrusk lifts Bruins to OT win against Canadiens

MONTREAL -- Jake DeBrusk scored 24 seconds into overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 2-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Thursday.

DeBrusk took a pass from Brad Marchand on a 2-on-1, deked and put a backhand past Sam Montembeault.

Danton Heinen also scored, and Linus Ullmark made 18 saves for Boston (39-14-15), which won the season series 3-0-1, including a 9-4 victory at TD Garden on Jan. 20.

“I think they responded from the last time we played against them,” DeBrusk said. “I think they changed some things up and I thought they played a hard game. It was one of those things where you give them credit as well as us [for] finding a way in overtime.”

The Bruins have gone to overtime 24 times this season. They have won six of 18 games decided in the extra period and gone 3-3 in the shootout.

“It’s huge,” Heinen said. “A lot haven’t gone our way, and I thought we did a good job in overtime and then a great play by two great players.”

Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said: “I didn’t think we had our normal legs for whatever reason, but our guys dug down and found a way to win. Montreal’s playing really good, sound hockey right now.”

Nick Suzuki scored, and Montembeault made 21 saves for Montreal (25-30-11).

“The atmosphere’s great every time you play these games,” Canadiens forward Alex Newhook said. “It felt like a bit of a playoff game here today, you know, low scoring, it comes down to the wire, and unlucky to not get a win there, but we played a good game. There are a lot of positives to take from it.”

Heinen put Boston up 1-0 at 4:49 of the first period. He was falling to the ice after being knocked down by Juraj Slafkovsky when he swiped in the rebound of David Pastrnak's one-timer inside the left post.

“I thought I had it point-blank and then when it kind of goes away, you don’t know,” Heinen said. “You try to throw everything at it and try to get in, and luckily it went in.”

Suzuki tied it 1-1 at 14:37 with his 26th goal of the season, tying his NHL career high. He scored blocker side with a one-timer off a quick pass from Slafkovsky after Cole Caufield’s forecheck caused Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo to turn over the puck.

Pastrnak hit the left post with a backhand at 14:50 of the second period after deking Montembeault on a breakaway.

Boston went 0-for-4 on the power play, including failing to score on a man-advantage that lasted for 3:01 after Suzuki was called for high-sticking at 12:06 of the third period while Montreal was on a power play.

“I think it was a huge part of the game,” Canadiens defenseman David Savard said. “You know, late in the game, getting a four-minute call is always tough, but we got it for our captain and we gave ourselves a chance to get the extra point. But I wish we were on the other side tonight.”

The Canadiens, who did not allow a power-play goal for the sixth straight game, have killed 19 straight opportunities and 26 of 27.

“The guys are blocking shots, they’re dialed in,” Montembeault said. “They go out there and they’re confident that they’re going to get the kill.”

Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke played 17:01 and blocked two shots in his first game since being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

“I thought his gaps were good,” Montgomery said. “I thought he was aggressive. I thought he was physical, separating people. I thought he did a good job on the 4-on-4 when we put him out there. He played aggressive, which is what we’re looking for, using his feet.”

NOTES: With his assist, Marchand passed Patrice Bergeron for the most overtime points in Bruins history (26; 19 goals, seven assists). … Boston defenseman Matt Grzelcyk did not make the trip and forward James van Riemsdyk did not play, each because of an illness. … Suzuki also scored 26 goals last season.