Canadiens Stretch Conference Lead – NHL News And Scores For February 28th

UNDATED (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens have padded their lead in the NHL's Eastern Conference by knocking off their archrival.

Brendan Gallagher, Max Pacioretty (pash-uh-RET'-ee) and Brian Gionta (jee-AHN'-tah) scored in the last 11 minutes as the Canadiens beat the Maple Leafs 5-2 in Toronto. Pacioretty finished with two goals and David Desharnais (day-ahr-NAY') had two assists to help the Habs improve to 13-4-3.

Montreal tops its conference with 29 points, three more than Boston, Pittsburgh and Ottawa.

Kyle Palmeiri ended a 10-game goal drought with his first career hat trick as Anaheim downed Nashville. Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf assisted on all three Palmeiri goals to help the Ducks claim their seventh straight home win.

Third-period goals by Jeff Carter and Anze Kopitar (AHN'-zhay KOH'-pih-tahr) lifted Los Angeles past Detroit 2-1. Jonathan Bernier made 32 saves and was perfect after Kyle Quincey scored midway through the opening period.

The other NHL final had Philadelphia beating Washington 4-1. Claude Giroux (jih-ROO') scored 23 seconds in and Simon Gagne (see-MOHN' GAHN'-yay) added a goal in his first game since the Flyers re-acquired him from Los Angeles.