Sheldon Souray set a Montreal single-game record for points by a defenseman with a goal and five assists, and Canadiens rookie Michael Ryder had two goals and two assists in an 8-0 rout of the host Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
Souray broke the team record of five points by defensemen Doug Harvey and Lyle Odelein, assisting on each of Montreal’s first five goals–the first four on the power play–before scoring midway through the third period on a slap shot from the left point off a faceoff.
Souray’s five assists were one short of the Montreal record of six, set by Elmer Lach in an 8-3 win over Boston on Feb. 6, 1943.
Montreal’s power play, ranked ninth in the NHL, scored on four of five opportunities in the first two periods to take control of what was a close game for the first 25 minutes.
The Penguins were never in the game after failing to convert a five-on-three advantage that lasted just over a minute in the second period.
Fleury to rejoin Penguins
Rookie goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will rejoin the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, just over a month since leaving to play for Canada in the world junior championships.
Fleury was expected to practice with the Penguins on Sunday, Pittsburgh general manager Craig Patrick said.
Fleury, the first pick in the June draft, got off to a strong start with the Penguins, winning or tying five of his first seven starts. His record slipped to 4-10-2 with eight losses in nine games, including two overtime losses, when he left following a Dec. 9 overtime loss to Vancouver.
In the championship game of the world juniors, Fleury’s attempted clearing pass banked off a teammate and into his own net for the winning goal in a 4-3 loss to the United States.
Coach Eddie Olczyk hasn’t said when he expects Fleury to play again.
Fleury can play nine more games before the team owes him $3 million in contract bonuses.
RESULTS, SATURDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Detroit 1 at Boston 2
Joe Thornton scored with 2:30 left in overtime. The victory extended Boston’s winning streak to three games, while Detroit lost in overtime for just the second time this season.
Montreal 8 at Pittsburgh 0
The Penguins have won only twice in their last 13 games and have been outscored 23-2 in losing their last four home games and 13-0 in their last two.
Colorado 4 at Dallas 2
Alex Tanguay scored 2 of the Avalanche’s 3 power-play goals in the 2nd period, when they played with a man advantage for nearly 8 minutes. They converted on three of five power plays.
N.Y. Rangers 3 at N.Y. Islanders 2
Eric Lindros’ goal and assist sparked a 3-goal spurt within 1 minute 38 seconds of the 1st period, and the Rangers hung on to stretch their unbeaten streak against the Islanders to 5-0-2.
Atlanta 2 at San Jose 5
Evgeni Nabokov made 31 saves to earn his 100th career win and the Sharks scored three first-period goals to hand the Thrashers their sixth straight defeat.
Edmonton 3 at Philadelphia 0
Tommy Salo stopped 26 shots for his 35th career shutout and 200th NHL win. The Flyers are 0-3-1 in its last four games and has been held to one goal or less in three of those.
New Jersey 1 at Toronto 0
Martin Brodeur made 25 saves for his league-leading ninth shutout of the season, and Brian Gionta scored in the first period. The game had just five penalties.
St. Louis 1 at Nashville 3
Jordin Tootoo scored a power-play goal and had an assist. Predators improved to 5-0-2-1 in last 8 home games. Blues are winless in last 4 games and have scored just 3 goals in them.
Florida 2 at Calgary 4
Jarome Iginla scored two goals and added an assist, and the Flames scored three times in the third period. The Flames snapped a four-game winless streak at home.
Columbus 2 at Los Angeles 2
Trent Klatt scored twice on power plays, and the Kings rallied twice to tie. Kings are 0-3-7-1 since Dec. 16. Blue Jackets’ Anders Eriksson ended a 135-game goal-scoring drought.
