HABS SNAP FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK WITH A 6-3 WIN OVER THE THRASHERS

For the first time this season Montreal veterans Alex Tanguay, Alex Kovalev and Saku Koivu played on the same line the top line. Alex Tanguay got 2 goals and 3 assists for a total of 5 points,Alex Kovalev scored 2 goals for a total of 2 points and Saku Koivu had a goal and 2 assist for a total of 3 points. In total, that line had 11 points all together in the 6-3 victory over the Thrashers."We were desperate," said Tanguay after the third five-point game of his career and the first since 2004 against Vancouver. "We didn't have time to wait a couple of games for it to click.We need to win now."Glen Metropolit also scored for the Canadiens, who scored 6 goals for the first time since a 6-2 win over Toronto on Jan. 8.

Going into the game against Atlanta, the Habs has only scored 3 powerplay goals in the last 9 games, but last night it finally woke up, as the Habs were 3 for 6 on the man advantage."We had to open up on the power play," added Tanguay "We were too stationary.When the shot comes in from the point, we need to get to the net a hopefully, get some bounces and rebounds."Gainey said he was happy with the performance of their top line."Koivu's line certainly performed in the role we put them in," he said. "They were a good working trio of players.We need that offensive threat on the power play. They played like they wanted to play with each other."

"The focus was to play a good strong game based on positional play," Gainey added. "In the last two periods, we were difficult to pass through.We took plays away from them before they entered the zone, so we had about 15 shots less." Carey Price played a pretty solid game last n ight with 22 saves on 25 shots and got his first win since March 10th against the Oilers.The Canadiens will hope for more games like this for the rest of the season.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo