Pacioretty: Coming up clutch in OT… again!

MONTREAL - After settling the score in the extra frame last Saturday night in Winnipeg, captain Max Pacioretty delivered the goods in the clutch again.

This time, it was the Buffalo Sabres who paid the price when Pacioretty broke in all alone on goaltender Chad Johnson and beat him at the 3:08 mark of overtime to secure a 2-1 win for the Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
It marked the 10th career regular-season overtime marker of Pacioretty's career, surpassing both Aurele Joliat and Howie Morenz to become the franchise leader in that department.
"It's cool," said Pacioretty, after notching the decisive goal. "Anytime you're acknowledged amongst such great players like that, it's cool."

More importantly, according to Pacioretty, it also marked the Canadiens' fourth win in their last five games, as they continue to trend in the right direction following a rough start to the 2017-18 campaign.
"There's a lot of emotion because we felt that was a huge game for us. We're climbing our way back into this thing," said Pacioretty. "I know it's still early, but to get every point now is so, so valuable, knowing that we lost a lot of points earlier in the year. There are a lot of emotions and we like the way our team is trending."
This one was particularly emotional because of the way the Canadiens rallied after finding themselves down by a goal entering the third period, before Andrew Shaw tipped a Jonathan Drouin shot home 61 seconds into the frame on the power play to tie things up.
Then, it was Pacioretty's turn to produce some more magic when it counted most, taking a perfect feed from Phillip Danault and finding the back of the net.
"They broke a stick, so we jumped on it and Phil was able to create a turnover and make an outstanding pass," mentioned Pacioretty, after notching his seventh goal of the season. "That's 3-on-3 hockey. You've got to either get a break or try and anticipate the play going the other way, and he did a great job at that and set me up for a breakaway."

Since the pair joined forces on the same line on October 20 in Anaheim, Pacioretty has flourished offensively with six goals - including three game-winners - and 11 points in as many games.
"We wanted to play together from the start," said Danault. "Claude was waiting for the right time. The chemistry started last year and it continues to grow. I'm very happy."
Needless to say, Danault couldn't be happier to see Pacioretty producing in waves again.
"He's our captain. He doesn't have some tough stretches on purpose. Nobody does that on purpose. Patch is a real workhorse and he really wants to win," praised Danault. "We've seen that recently with his two overtime winners."

Goaltender Charlie Lindgren, meanwhile, was fabulous again in between the pipes, turning in a 34-save performance with his parents, Bob and Jennifer, in attendance to cheer him on.
"He's been awesome. I keep saying it over and over. You see him making big saves, but you see him battling and working so hard. He deserves all the credit he gets because he puts in the work," said Pacioretty. "When you come in after a bad period, and know that it's only 1-0 because your goaltender played outstanding, that goes a long way. Not much needs to be said to go out there and play for him."