NHL: Montreal 5, Tampa Bay 3

MONTREAL, March 9 (UPI) -- Mathieu Darche scored twice and Scott Gomez added a goal and an assist Tuesday as the Montreal Canadiens downed Tampa Bay 5-3.

Glen Metropolit and Benoit Pouliot scored and Jaroslav Halak recorded 28 saves as the Canadiens won for the third straight time.

The Lightning pulled to within 2-1 on a score by Steven Stamkos at 3:47 of the second period but Montreal quickly restored their two goal cushion less than a minute when Pouliot scored.

Darche's goal at 7:33 of the second essentially iced the game, making it 4-1 Habs.

Stamkos added an assist while Martin St. Louis and Matt Walker lit the lamp for the Bolts in defeat.