Ondrej Palat scored the game-winner 36 seconds into overtime as the host Tampa Bay Lightning topped the beleaguered Montreal Canadiens 5-4 on Tuesday in the first game since a six-day, league-wide pause.
Steven Stamkos forced a turnover in front of Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault, and Victor Hedman fed Palat for the triumphant marker as the Lightning improved to 8-4 in overtime and shootouts and won their sixth straight regular-season game over the Canadiens.
Brayden Point returned to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 20 and collected two goals and an assist, and Ross Colton and Corey Perry (one goal, one assist) also tallied for Tampa Bay, which has won seven consecutive on home ice.