MONTREAL, April 12 (UPI) -- A power-play goal 2:30 into overtime by Alex Kovalev Saturday lifted Montreal to a 3-2 win over Boston in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
The Canadiens, seeded No. 1 in the conference, grabbed a 2-0 series advantage. The third game will be played Sunday in Boston.
Boston came from two goals behind in the third period to force overtime, but Jeremy Reich was called for tripping 1:31 into the extra session.
Kovalev took control of the puck along the left boards and fired a shot that went off the right shoulder of goaltender Tim Thomas and into the net.
Roman Hamrlik and Sergei Kostitsyn scored in regulation for the Canadiens and Carey Price made 37 saves.
Boston's goals came from Peter Schaefer and David Krejci.
Montreal and Boston met eight times during the regular season and the Canadiens won every game.
