Gallagher gets game winner, Benn vs Benn a snooze, as Habs top Stars 4-1
MONTREAL — The biggest Bell Centre ovation on Tuesday night was not for Carey Price’s brilliance in net, Brendan Gallagher’s game-winning goal or the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars, but for an assist by veteran defenceman Andrei Markov.
By flipping a pass to Artturi Lehkonen for a one-timer that beat Kari Lehtonen, Markov moved into a tie with Hall of Famer Guy Lapointe for second in career points by a Montreal Canadiens defenceman with 572, behind only Larry Robinson’s 833.
When the assist was announced, the sellout crowd rose and applauded the Russian rearguard who has been a stalwart on the Montreal defence since 2000-01.
“I couldn’t think of a guy that’s more deserving,” said captain Max Pacioretty. “In the years I’ve played with him, he’s overcome so much adversity.