NHL: Montreal 3, Carolina 2

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Alexandre Picard put Montreal in front with a minute to play in the second period Thursday and the Canadiens hung on for a 3-2 win over Carolina.

All the scoring took place in the middle period, the last two goals coming from Montreal on an extended power play.

Erik Cole was called for a major boarding penalty in the second period and during the 5-minute stretch while he was off the ice, both Andrei Kostitsyn and Picard scored to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

Montreal had lost five of its previous six games, including the first two of a season-long, seven-game road trip.

Carey Price got the win with 22 saves. Cam Ward stopped 26 shots for Carolina, which has lost two in a row after winning four straight.