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MTL 6, NYI 4: Plekanec chases Halak as Canadiens outclass Islanders

Jean-Yves Ahern / USA TODAY Sports

The Montreal Canadiens proved their mettle by besting one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference on Saturday, chasing a former teammate out of the crease in the process.

Jaroslav Halak was (mercifully) pulled in the third period after giving up six goals on 33 shots, while Montreal outshot and outclassed the New York Islanders in a 6-4 decision.

Here's what you need to know:

  • P.K. Subban got the festivities rolling with a goal at the 1:56 mark of the first period, marking the fourth season in a row that he's hit double digits in that category. Why is he not an All-Star again?
  • Tomas Plekanec led the way offensively, registering two goals and two assists and scoring the goal that led to Halak's early exit.
  • Andrei Markov matched his season high with three points, all primary assists.
  • Kyle Okposo remained red hot, scoring his fifth goal in two games, albeit in a losing effort.
  • Filling in for an injured Carey Price, Dustin Tokarski was good enough to register the win, stopping 27 of 31 shots for his fifth victory in 10 appearances this season.
  • The score made the game appear closer than it really was, as the Islanders scored a pair late in the third, when everything was already all but settled.
  • The Canadiens won the faceoff battle (37 to 30), while the Islanders came out ahead in hits (42 to 21), signalling a victory for Montreal in regards to the possession game.

With the win, the Canadiens moved to within two points of the Islanders at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

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