Therrien: Pacioretty was 'a true leader' in win over Coyotes

Max Pacioretty willed the Montreal Canadiens past the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night, putting up a four-point effort that included a pair of goals and a key assist on Alex Galchenyuk's overtime winner.

The performance by Montreal's captain certainly wasn't lost on his coach, Michel Therrien.

"Patch was a true leader tonight, a true captain," Therrien told reporters following the win. "He took charge, he played a hell of a game, and he deserves a lot of credit."

Pacioretty's 27 goals this season are now nearly double the next highest scorer on the Canadiens; both Alexander Radulov and Paul Byron have found the back of the net 14 times.

Thursday also marked the second time this season that Pacioretty has recorded at least four points in a game, having tallied four goals and an assist in Montreal's lopsided victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 10.