Karlsson scores 2, Senators beat Canadiens 5-2
MONTREAL (AP) The Hamburgler's streak goes on.
Andrew Hammond, the career minor leaguer who has been a sensation in goal for Ottawa in the last month, made 27 saves, and the Senators beat the Atlantic Division-leading Montreal Canadiens 5-2 on Thursday night.
Erik Karlsson scored twice, and Ottawa scored five goals on 28 shots against the NHL's leading goalie Carey Price, who had a rare off night.
Eric Condra, Mark Stone and Marc Methot also scored for Ottawa, which has won nine of 11 as it chases a playoff spot.
Hammond, known as the Hamburgler, improved to 8-0-1 since he was called up from AHL Binghamton to replace Robin Lehner, who has a concussion. Hammond hasn't allowed more than two goals in a game.
''It's something I'm aware of,'' Hammond said of his streak. ''But I know that if I don't prepare the right way each game things will unravel, so I just put my best foot forward.
''Whatever's going to happen will happen. I can't control that.''
Max Pacioretty scored two goals in a 2:11 span of the first period, one during a power play and once short-handed for Montreal (42-19-7), which has only one win in four games.
The Senators tied it in the second and got three past Price in the third.
''It was tough to stake them to a two-goal lead,'' Hammond said. ''It would have been easy to fold the tent but we showed a lot of fight and eventually we were able to turn the tide.
''They got a little frustrated, and we were able to key on that.''
Forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau said the whole team is happy for Hammond.
''He deserves everything that's happening for him,'' he said. ''He works hard in practice, and tonight he made the big saves when we needed them.''
The Canadiens, who have yielded the fewest goals in the NHL, allowed five for the first time since Nov. 23. It was Price's worst outing since a 6-2 loss to Calgary on Nov. 2.
''We just have to play better, especially me,'' Price said. ''I don't think it was the best game I've played all season.''
Montreal outshot Ottawa 29-28, but the Senators improved to 3-1 against the Canadiens this season.
A double high-sticking call on Alex Chiasson for clipping Tomas Plekanec had nearly ended when Pacioretty tipped in P.K. Subban's blast from the point at 6:43 of the first period.
Pacioretty then scored a short-handed goal as he deked Hammond on a breakaway.
Karlsson took a cross-ice feed from David Legwand on a 3-on-2 break and beat Price for his 17th goal of the season at 2:50 of the second.
Ottawa tied it at 18:21 when Jean-Gabriel Pageau held onto the puck until Price went down, and his pass into the crease found the net after hitting a skate. Condra was credited with the goal although it might have gone in off Plekanec.
Stone deflected a low pass under Price's arm on a power play 1:23 into the third. Karlsson sealed the win when, 1 second after Ottawa killed a four-minute penalty, he tipped Milan Michalek's pass under the crossbar at 9:43.
Methot's changeup shot from the left circle went in over Price's shoulder at 12:36.
The Canadiens, beaten 1-0 in overtime by Tampa Bay on Tuesday, went a second straight game without an even-strength goal.
''It was not about the offense tonight,'' Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. ''We're not competing as a team, and that's why we're having trouble.''
NOTES: P.A. Parenteau returned to the Montreal lineup after sitting out four games. Brian Flynn was scratched. ... Canadiens D Sergei Gonchar played in his 1,300th NHL game. ... Colin Greening and Eric Gryba sat out for Ottawa.
