MONTREAL, March 24 (UPI) -- Andrei Kostitsyn scored two goals Monday, enabling Montreal to become the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff spot with a 7-5 win over Ottawa.
Andrei Markov had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, while Alex Kovalev and Maxim Lapierre each had two assists. Carey Price stopped 31 of 36 shots to pick up the win.
The Canadiens lead the Eastern Conference with 96 points, three points ahead of Pittsburgh, which lost to the New York Islanders Monday.
Dany Heatley scored twice, and Martin Lapointe added a goal and an assist Ottawa, which has lost three of its last four games.
Daniel Alfredsson had three assists and Randy Robitaille two. Martin Gerber gave up three goals on 14 shots in the first period before Ray Emery took over at the start of the second.
