The surging Montreal Canadiens took over top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Andrei Kostitsyn scored a powerplay goal late in the third period to seal a victory which took the Canadiens above the Devils with 81 points. New Jersey and the Ottawa Senators both have 80.

This is the first time Montreal has led the conference after the All-Star break since 1993, the year of the Canadiens' last Stanley Cup triumph.

The Canadiens have won three straight games, all with rookie Carey Price in goal. He has surrendered four goals in the three games and made 31 saves in Saturday's victory.

Kostitsyn scored his 20th goal of the season, beating New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur and helping send the Devils to their third straight loss.

The Boston Bruins won their sixth straight game, edging the visiting Atlanta Thrashers 3-2 in a shootout. Boston's Phil Kessel registered the only score for either team in the shootout.

The Bruins took over sole possession of sixth place in the Eastern Conference and are just five points away from the conference and division leads.

The Ottawa Senators, playing their second game since general manager Bryan Murray replaced coach John Paddock behind the bench, got two goals and an assist from Daniel Alfredsson in a 5-4 home win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh missed the chance to tie for first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Colorado Avalanche won their third in a row with a 5-2 home victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Colorado's Ryan Smyth scored two goals but was carried from the ice on a stretcher after being checked into the boards by Jack Johnson. Smyth was conscious in the locker room but was sent to hospital for an examination.

Mats Sundin, who refused to be traded at the deadline this week, delivered a goal and two assists to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs towards the play-off race with a 3-2 road win over the Washington Capitals. Toronto is 4-0-1 in its last five games.

Jarome Iginla reached the 40-goal mark for the third time, scoring twice while Kristian Huselius assisted on all three goals as the visiting Calgary Flames beat the Phoenix Coyotes 3-1.

Brian Boucher made 24 saves in his first NHL start of the season to lead the San Jose Sharks to their fifth straight win, a 2-0 road victory over the St. Louis Blues.

Reuters