NHL: Montreal 4, New Jersey 3 (SO)

NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- David Desharnais forced overtime in the last minute of the third period and scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give Montreal a 4-3 win over New Jersey.

Desharnais scored in the second round of the shootout after both sides had come up with a goal in the first round.

The Canadiens won their third in a row and have captured seven out of eight to climb within a point of Boston for the lead in the Atlantic Division. Montreal is 8-4-1 on the road this season.

Patrick Elias scored with 1:06 left in regulation to put New Jersey ahead 3-2. Desharnais then deflected a shot past Cory Schneider with 37 seconds remaining to tie it.

Peter Budaj made 31 saves in picking up the win. Schneider stopped 27 shots.