Habs post 4-goal 2nd period, then hold off Isles

Josh Anderson scored twice in a four-goal second period as the host Montreal Canadiens surged ahead before holding for a 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday night.

Joel Armia started Montreal's four-goal outburst in the final 12:15 of the second when the Canadiens had 21 shots on goal. Anderson scored Montreal's next two goals and Cole Caufield netted the final goal 15 seconds after Anderson's second goal.

Anderson finished with two goals for the 13th time in his career and for the first time since getting his only hat trick on March 1, 2022, at Winnipeg. His big night helped Montreal win for the second time in its past 10 home games (2-6-2).

Christian Dvorak added an empty-net goal in the final minute and Sean Monahan contributed two assists for Montreal.

Goalie Sam Montembeault made 14 of his 30 saves in Montreal's shaky final period.

Brock Nelson scored a shorthanded goal and an even-strength tally in the first 3:43 of the third. Bo Horvat also scored and Noah Dobson collected three assists as New York saw an eight-game (6-0-2) points streak halted and fell to 9-2-3 in its past 14 games.

New York goalie Semyon Varlamov allowed four goals on 40 shots.

Armia made it 1-0 with 12:15 remaining after Brendan Gallagher fought off a check from New York defenseman Alexander Romanov along the left boards. Gallagher left the loose puck for Armia, who cut from the left circle to the right side and saw his shot sail by Varlamov.

Nearly three minutes later, Anderson scored his first goal following New York defenseman Sebastian Aho's giveaway behind the net. The puck wound up going to Justin Barron at the left point and Anderson spun around between the circles before releasing a shot that deflected off New York defenseman Mike Reilly's stick.

With 54 seconds left, Anderson got the rebound of his backhand, beat Reilly to a loose puck and jammed a shot under Varlamov.

Caufield scored with 39 seconds left when he whipped a shot from the lower right circle by Varlamov following a turnover by Romanov behind the net.

Nelson made it 4-1 with a shot from the right circle and then converted an easy tap-in at the left edge of the crease. The Islanders made it a one-goal game when Horvat pounced on a rebound at the right side of the crease with 5:54 left.