NHL: Tampa Bay 2, Montreal 1

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Mathieu Garon turned aside 23 shots Tuesday and the Tampa Bay Lightning kept their playoff hopes alive with 2-1 decision over Montreal.

Garon stopped all 13 shots he saw over the final two periods for the Lightning, who won for the fifth time in seven games and remained five points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Steven Stamkos scored his league-leading 44th goal and Adam Hall added the eventual game-winner in the second period for Tampa Bay.

The listless Canadiens, meanwhile, dropped their fifth straight contest.

David Desharnais scored Carey Price made 20 saves for the Habs.