NHL: Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 1 (SO)

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Maxim Lapierre scored the deciding shootout goal Tuesday to hand the Montreal Canadiens a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After both clubs scored in the first round of the extra period, Montreal goalie Carey Price blocked a shot by Vaclav Prospal, who scored in regulation for the Lightning. Lapierre then fired a shot into the top right corner before Price, who had 21 saves, stopped Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier to seal the win.

Guillaume Latendresse scored the tying goal 46 seconds into the third period for the Canadiens, who have won three in a row and are 5