NHL: Montreal 3, Carolina 1

MONTREAL, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Michael Ryder had a goal and an assist and Jose Theodore made 22 saves Saturday as Montreal posted a 3-1 victory over Carolina.

In just over 17 minutes of ice time, Ryder, a rookie, led the Canadiens with seven shots on goal. He took five in the third period and gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead at 9:53 with his sixth goal of the season.

Just under two minutes later, defenseman Danny Markov spoiled Theodore's shutout bid with a power-play tally. But Ryder capped his third multi-point game of the season by setting up Saku Koivu's second goal with 6:34 remaining.

Theodore had plenty of support from his teammates, who yielded just one power play and moved over the .500 mark for the first time since Oct. 30.