Pro Sports

Gallagher breaks late tie, Canadiens beat Maple Leafs 2-1

Posted February 14, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) looks for the puck as Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) blocks his view during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) - Brendan Gallagher scored with 3:07 left, Carey Price made 21 saves and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on Saturday night.

Tyler Toffoli tied it for Montreal at 6:11 of the third period, with Gallagher assisting on the play. Toffoli then helped set up Gallagher's winner.

'œFind a way,'ť Gallagher said about the message in the second intermission. 'œOur goaltender gave us the biggest opportunity to go out there and win that hockey game. We were able to come out and outplay them for 20 minutes.

'œThat's kind of what this league is. You've got to take advantage of those opportunities when you get them. We've been on the other side where you outplay teams and let them hang around.'ť

Tomas Tatar, Montreal's scoring leader last season, was a healthy scratch.

Mitch Marner scored early in the first period for Toronto, and Frederik Andersen stopped 23 shots.

'œWe didn't make good on the chances that we earned in the first,'ť Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. 'œWe had more than enough offence there in the first to blow this game wide open and didn't capitalize. Then our game was a mess from there.'ť

Auston Matthews had an assist for Toronto to extend his points streak to 11. The Maple Leafs lost in regulation for the first time since Jan. 20. Toronto fell to 11-3-1 and saw its lead atop the North Division shrink to three points over the Canadiens.

'œThey just kept competing hard,'ť Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said. 'œThey were physical. We just weren't able to be as in sync as we'd like to be and find that other level to our game.'ť

Montreal opened the season 7-1-2, but entered Saturday having lost three of its last four in regulation - all at home - including a 4-2 loss to Toronto on Wednesday night and a 3-0 setback to Edmonton the following night.

'œWe just gutted it out,'ť Canadiens captain Shea Weber said. 'œEveryone stepped up.'ť

UP NEXT

Canadiens: Host Toronto on Saturday, May 20.

Maple Leafs: Host Ottawa Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save as Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) looks for the loose puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry (26) skates away from Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) makes a save as defenceman Ben Chiarot (8) checks Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander (88) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) and Montreal Canadiens right wing Corey Perry (94) battle in front of Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Toronto Maple Leafs center Mitchell Marner (16) celebrates his goal with teammates Jake Muzzin (8), Justin Holl (3), and Zach Hyman (11) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

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