Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) and Milan Michalek race to congratulate Jean-Gabriel Pageau on his first goal of the season during first periond NHL action against the Montreal Canadiens Thursday January 15, 2015 in Ottawa.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Jean-Gabriel Pageau's first goal of the season proved to be the game winner Thursday night as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1.
Mika Zibanejad, Erik Karlsson and Erik Condra also scored for the Senators (18-17-8). Craig Anderson stopped 25 shots in his 399th game and has allowed two goals or less in eight of his last ten starts.
Max Pacioretty scored the lone goal for the Canadiens (27-13-3) as Dustin Tokarski turned away 31-of-34 shots.
This marked the Senators first home game since returning from a four-game road trip, where Ottawa went 1-2-1, and they looked motivated from the start right through the final buzzer.
Holding a 3-1 lead to open the third period, the Senators were determined not to make the same mistake they did in Dallas two nights prior when they squandered a two-goal lead to eventually lose the game.
Ottawa played a sound defensive game and kept things simple as the Canadiens did their best to rally.
The Senators were up after the opening 20 minutes 3-1 and, despite playing much of the second period shorthanded and being outshot 14-7, were able to maintain the lead.
Ottawa took four minor penalties in the second and if not for the play of Anderson and the fact the Canadiens power play has been less than stellar this season things could have changed very quickly.
Zibanejad opened the scoring at 1:09 of the opening period as he beat Tokarski from in close short side.
Pacioretty tied the game at the 14-minute mark as he beat Anderson short side after taking a pass at centre ice. Ottawa's Jared Cowen got a stick on the puck, but rather than pushing it away put it right back on Pacioretty's stick.
Pacioretty is on a career-high six-game goal streak.
Ottawa regained the lead when Pageau banged home Milan Michalek's rebound.
Karlsson made it 3-1 early in the first period to put an end to a 15-game scoring drought as he beat Tokarski with a slap shot and Condra added a goal into an empty net in the final minute of regulation.
Montreal had won its last four games against Ottawa going back to last season.
The Senators are back in action Saturday night against Carolina, while Montreal will host the New York Islanders.
Notes: D Chris Phillips and C Colin Greening were a healthy scratch. C Zack Smith (wrist), RW Chris Neil (knee) D Mark Borowiecki (leg) all remain sidelined for the Senators. Montreal C David Desharnais played his 300th NHL game. D Mike Weaver and LW Christian Thomas were a healthy scratch for Montreal.