MTL@BOS: Game recap

BOSTON - The Canadiens dropped a hard-fought 4-2 decision to the League-leading Bruins at TD Garden on Thursday.

The Canadiens got some reinforcements up front, with Jake Evans returning to the lineup after a 28-game absence due to injury. Jake Allen got the start in goal.

The Bruins got on the board first, at 4:34 of the opening frame. It was a bit of a fluke goal, as Tyler Bertuzzi's attempt to center the puck from behind the goal line deflected off a Montreal player's stick before bouncing off Allen and in.
Boston doubled its lead later in the period when Connor Clifton sprung Jake DeBrusk, who broke free through two Montreal defenders and beat Allen to make it 2-0 at 13:38.
The Bruins got in some penalty trouble late in the period, with A.J. Greer getting a five-minute major and a 10-minute misconduct for cross-checking Mike Hoffman.
The Canadiens capitalized on the major penalty when Nick Suzuki's one-timer beat Boston starter Jeremy Swayman for his 22nd of the season.
The goal was scored with 19 seconds left in the period, with assists from Denis Gurianov and Kirby Dach.

After 20 minutes, the Bruins were leading 2-1, although the Habs held a 12-9 edge in shots in the first.
David Pastrnak gave Boston another two-goal lead early in the second when his wrist shot from the hash marks beat Allen at the 2:36 mark.
The Canadiens reduced the Bruins' lead back down to one goal late in the period thanks to a beautiful passing play involving Suzuki, Mike Matheson, and finishing with Dach. The goal was scored on the power play with 3:47 remaining in the frame.

Suzuki picked up the 200th point of his career on the play.

Montreal headed to the room once again trailing by one, and once again outshot Boston in the period, this time by a 14-6 margin.
David Krejci padded Boston's lead again in the third, with 8:44 to go in regulation.
That's how things would stand when time ran out.
The Habs headed home immediately after the game. They welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Bell Centre on Saturday; for tickets to that game,
click here
.