RYDER SCORES 2 GOALS; HABS DOWN PANTHERS 5-2

GOAL SCORERS

MTL:   D. Desharnais (01:46 - 1st) , M. Ryder (PPG, 08:42 - 1st) , B. Gionta (15:35 - 2nd) , F. Bouillon (17:47 - 2nd) , M. Ryder (PPG, 15:53 - 3rd)

FLA:   T. Kopecky (07:59 - 3rd) , S. Matthias (13:57 - 3rd)

GOALIES

MTL: P. Budaj (W)

 FLA: J. Markstrom (L)

          Earlier tonight in Sunrise, Florida, it was first versus last and the Habs were looking for their third straight win. 1:46 into the first, Desharnais came up the left wing and fired a shot past Markstrom to make it 1-0. 7 minutes later with the Habs on a powerplay, Subbans point shot was tipped in by Ryder to make it 2-0. That was Ryders 100th career goal as a Montreal Canadien.  The shots were 13-7 Montreal after 1. 15 minutes into the second, Subbans point shot was stopped and Gionta was there to put home the rebound to make it 3-0.

       2 minutes later, Montreal came in on a 3 on 2 and Ryder played the puck to Bouillon and he scored his first of the season to make it 4-0. The shots in the second were 13-5 Montreal.  8 minutes into the third, Bouillion blocked a shot and then cleared the puck into his own net, Kopecky would get credit as the lead has been cut to 3. Matthias would score shortly to cut the lead to 2. Then with under 5 to play, with the Habs on a powerplay, Subbans point shot was tipped in by Ryder to make it 5-2 and that would be the final as Montreal wins their third straight. In the win, Budaj made 15 saves.

       In the loss, Markstrom made 33 saves. On this road trip the Habs were great, they won 4 out of 5 and because of that they remain first in the Eastern Conference. "It was a sensational trip. Already, as I told the players before tonight's game, it was a good trip and we had the chance to make it exceptional," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. "What was impressive is the fact we played yesterday and they were fresh, but it was still us who dictated the game." The Habs sweep the season series against the Florida Panthers with this 5-2 win.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo