Ryder's power-play goals lift Canadiens to win

[March 11, 2013]  SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) -- Michael Ryder scored two power-play goals, and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Florida Panthers 5-2 on Sunday night.

David Desharnais, Brian Gionta, and Francis Bouillon also scored, and P.K. Subban had three assists. Ryder has seven assists and two goals in seven games since being acquired from Dallas on Feb. 26.

Peter Budaj stopped 14 shots for the Canadiens, who won for the fourth time on their five-game trip and earned their ninth road victory of the season. The Canadiens swept the season series from the Panthers.

Tomas Kopecky and Shawn Matthias scored for Florida, and Jacob Markstrom made 33 saves. The Panthers have lost six of seven and 13 of 16.

Ryder's second goal was scored at 15:53 of the third on a tip-in of a shot by Subban that made it 5-2.

The Canadiens scored a pair of goals late in the second to stretch their lead to 4-0. Subban took a shot from above the right circle that Markstrom blocked, but Gionta grabbed the rebound and poked the puck in at 15:35. A little over two minutes later, Bouillon's shot from the slot beat Markstrom.

Kopecky's odd goal at 7:59 of the third made it 4-1. Kopecky took a shot from the blue line, and the puck ended up near Bouillon's stick in front. Florida's Jack Skille hit Bouillon's stick, and the puck went over Budaj and into the net.

Matthias' wrist shot from the left circle beat Budaj at 13:57 to make it 4-2.

Early-game troubles continued for Markstrom, who has given up quick goals in his last two starts. Desharnais' wrist shot from the left circle got past Markstrom's outstretched glove 1:46 in to make it 1-0.

The Canadiens went ahead 2-0 on Ryder's first power-play goal. Subban took a shot from the point, and Ryder redirected it into the net.

NOTES: Canadiens forward Brandon Prust will be sidelined for 10 days because of a separated left shoulder sustained Saturday in a 4-3 win at Tampa Bay. ... Ryder's goal was his 100th with the Canadiens. ... Panthers D Ed Jovanovski, who has played in only five games this season due to a lower body injury, practiced on Saturday but there is no timetable for his return.

[Associated Press; By PAUL GEREFFI]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.