NHL: Montreal 7, Detroit 2

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MONTREAL, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- David Desharnais scored two of the six goals Montreal produced over the opening two periods Wednesday, leading the Canadiens past Detroit 7-2.

The Canadiens emphatically ended Detroit's seven-game winning streak, building a 6-0 advantage heading into the final period.

It was the final NHL contest before the league's All-Star Game this Sunday. Regular-season action will resume Tuesday.

Montreal knocked Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard out of the game, scoring four times on 12 shots in the first period.

Rene Bourque, Alexi Emelin, Desharnais and Tomas Plekanec all scored in the first period. Max Pacioretty and Desharnais added tallies in the second.

Both of Detroit's goals came from Jiri Hudler in the third period, giving him 15 for the season.

Carey Price gave up the two goals on 27 shots.

Despite the one-sided loss, Detroit goes into the break with the league's largest point total at 67. The Red Wings have won 33 games, two more than any other club, and have captured 17 in a row at home.