NHL: Montreal 5, New Jersey 1

NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Carey Price allowed only a third-period score Thursday and Montreal took an almost instant two-goal lead in downing New Jersey 5-1.

Brian Gionta scored just 11 seconds into the game and Lars Eller made it 2-0 a mere 87 seconds later.

New Jersey goaltender Johan Hedberg was removed after allowing those two goals on three shots and Mike McKenna played the rest of the way, giving up three goals on 29 shots.

Gionta was playing against his brother, New Jersey forward Stephen Gionta, for the first time in a pro hockey game.

Price, giving up 2.04 goals per game this season, improved to 15-7-2. His bid for a shutout was spoiled by Jason Arnott with 11:42 to play.