PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Montreal Canadiens scored once in the first period and twice in the second to build a commanding lead and defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. Alexandre Texier opened the scoring for Montreal in the first period. Cole Caufield and Brendan Gallagher added second-period goals, with rookie defenseman Lane Hutson assisting on both. Pittsburgh rallied with third-period goals from Bryan Rust and Erik Karlsson 45 seconds apart, but Oliver Kapanen answered 15 seconds later to restore Montreal’s three-goal cushion. The win improved Montreal to 16-14. Pittsburgh fell to 14-15. The teams will meet again in Montreal on Dec. 20.

PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Montreal Canadiens built a commanding lead with opportunistic scoring and a stellar performance from rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler, then weathered a late push to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. The Canadiens, improving to 16-14, snapped a two-game skid and handed the Penguins their second consecutive loss, dropping Pittsburgh to 14-15 on the season. The result defied pregame projections that favored the Penguins, who entered as 1.5-goal favorites. Montreal set the tone early, capitalizing on a Pittsburgh turnover deep in its own zone. After Penguins defenseman Kris Letang lost possession along the boards, the Canadiens’ Owen Beck quickly fed Alexandre Texier in the high slot. Texier snapped a wrist shot past goaltender Tristan Jarry just 2 minutes and 54 seconds into the first period for a 1-0 lead. The Canadiens extended their advantage in the second period with a pair of goals. On a power play resulting from a tripping penalty on Pittsburgh’s Ville Koivunen, Montreal’s top unit went to work. Nick Suzuki and defenseman Lane Hutson set up Cole Caufield for a blistering one-timer from the left circle, his 17th goal of the season, at the 20:18 mark. Just over eight minutes later, Montreal’s depth added to the lead. The young trio of Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky combined to find veteran Brendan Gallagher in front of the net. Gallagher, stationed at the top of the crease, deftly redirected the puck past Jarry to make it 3-0 at 8:37 of the second. Pittsburgh, which had been frustrated by Fowler through the first 40 minutes, finally broke through early in the third. Just 44 seconds into the final frame, Sidney Crosby won an offensive zone faceoff back to Thomas Novak, who fed Bryan Rust for a quick wrist shot that beat Fowler high on the glove side. The Penguins’ momentum was short-lived. Montreal responded a mere 15 seconds later. Off the ensuing faceoff, Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov worked the puck to Oliver Kapanen, who fired a shot from the right circle that restored the Canadiens’ three-goal cushion at 4-1. Pittsburgh pushed hard in the latter half of the period, outshooting Montreal 18-6 in the third. Fowler was a central figure, turning aside multiple high-danger chances, including several from Crosby, who finished with a game-high seven shots on goal. The Penguins finally converted on their sixth power play of the night with just under five minutes to play. With Montreal’s Adam Engstrom in the box for holding, Erik Karlsson’s wrist shot from the point found its way through traffic, assisted by Letang and Rust, to cut the deficit to 4-2 at 15:07. The Penguins pulled Jarry for an extra attacker with over two minutes remaining but could not solve Fowler again. The rookie netminder finished with 38 saves on 40 shots, anchoring a penalty kill that went 5-for-6. Jarry stopped 24 of 28 shots in the loss. Key performances for Montreal included the playmaking of Hutson, who logged two assists and four hits, and Slafkovsky, who also added two helpers. Kapanen contributed a goal and four shots. For Pittsburgh, Rust had a goal and an assist, Karlsson scored and had five shots, and Crosby recorded an assist to go with his seven shots. The game featured ten minor penalties, six assessed to Montreal and four to Pittsburgh. The total of six goals exceeded the sportsbook over/under line of 5.5. The Canadiens continue their road trip against the New York Rangers on Saturday. The Penguins remain at home to host the San Jose Sharks, also on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a home-and-home series on Dec. 20 in Montreal and Dec. 21 back in Pittsburgh.

Preview: Canadiens, Penguins Meet in Key Eastern Conference Matchup PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference standings will clash Thursday when the Montreal Canadiens visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Both clubs enter with nearly identical records. The visiting Canadiens (15-13-0) hold a slight edge over the Penguins (14-13-0) in what will be the first of three meetings between the teams this month. They will play again in Montreal on Dec. 20 and back in Pittsburgh on Dec. 21. Montreal aims to rebound from a 4-3 home loss to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. Defenseman Noah Dobson was a bright spot in that defeat, scoring a goal and adding an assist. Dobson has been a key two-way presence for the Canadiens, registering three goals and five assists over his last 11 games while consistently contributing physically. The Penguins are also looking to bounce back after a 3-2 shootout loss in Dallas on Sunday. Center Thomas Novak scored a goal in that contest and has been productive lately, with two goals and three assists in his past five games. Pittsburgh’s offense will continue to run through veteran captain Sidney Crosby, who had an assist against the Stars. Montreal’s recent form has been inconsistent, going 4-4-2 in its last 10 games, including a shootout win over Toronto and a regulation victory against Vegas. Pittsburgh has mirrored that inconsistency, posting a 5-4-1 record over its last 10, highlighted by a 5-1 road win in Philadelphia but also featuring a 7-2 home loss to Toronto. The game features a contrast in recent scheduling. The Canadiens are in the midst of a stretch with seven of eight games on the road. The Penguins, meanwhile, are enjoying a homestand, with this being the second of four consecutive games at PPG Paints Arena. After Thursday’s contest, Montreal continues its road trip with a game against the New York Rangers on Saturday. Pittsburgh remains home to host the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.