Bolts beat Canadiens for first win without Steven Stamkos
MONTREAL (AP) -- Valtteri Filppula scored the only goal in the shootout and the Tampa Bay Lightning topped the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in a shootout on Tuesday in their first game without Steven Stamkos.
The Lightning were without Stamkos, their leading goal scorer, who broke his right leg after crashing into the net against the Bruins on Monday. Stamkos underwent surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss several weeks.
Ryan Malone scored in regulation for Tampa Bay (13-5-0), while Ben Bishop stopped 28 shots.
Daniel Briere scored for Montreal (9-8-2) and Carey Price made 44 saves.
Malone put Tampa Bay on the scoreboard at 5:00 of the first when he deflected an Eric Brewer shot from the point.
Malone, who was shoved by Canadiens defenseman Douglas Murray seconds before Brewer's shot, deflected the puck while falling to the ice. The goal was his third of the season.
Montreal couldn't take advantage of three power-play opportunities in the first period. They finished the game 0 for 3 with the man advantage.
The Habs, who were outshot 13-5 in the second period, got a break when Radko Gudas beat Price with a shot from the point. The goal was disallowed when video replay suggested Tyler Johnson had obstructed Price on the play.
Briere got the equalizer at 15:22 of the third when a Max Pacioretty shot went off his thigh and past Bishop.
Briere was back in the Canadiens' lineup for the first time since suffering a concussion on Oct. 19. The 36-year-old, who missed 10 games, played on a line with Michael Bournival and Rene Bourque.
Rookie J.T. Brown, who was recalled from Syracuse (AHL) after Stamkos' injury, recorded one shot in 14:37 of ice time. Brown played five NHL games with the Lightning in 2012.
Notes: The Canadiens have only won once in their past six games. They beat the New York Islanders 4-2 on Sunday. ... David Desharnais and George Parros were both healthy scratches. ... Defender Alexei Emelin, who has yet to play this season, is expected to dress over the weekend. Emelin underwent knee surgery last May.