MTL@ARI: Postgame

GLENDALE - The Canadiens began their three-game road trip with a 4-1 win over the Coyotes on Wednesday night.

After spending the last two seasons in Arizona, Nick Cousins was a popular guy during his pregame walk to Gila River Arena.
It was his first game back in his former hockey home since signing with Montreal over the summer.

Cousins was even shown some serious love during warmups.

The contest also marked a special occasion for Brendan Gallagher, who suited up for his 500th career NHL game.

And the 27-year-old right-winger wasted little time making it a rather memorable occasion.
Just 22 seconds into the first period, Gallagher put Claude Julien's squad up 1-0 with his sixth goal of the season.
It was a trademark tally by the Habs' assistant captain...

Tomas Tatar and Shea Weber collected the assists on the play.
Shortly after the goal, Arizona acknowledged Gallagher's milestone game on the scoreboard.

The Canadiens and Coyotes both fired 14 shots on goal after 20 minutes.
Only 24 seconds elapsed in the second period when Weber put a slap shot past Coyotes starter Antti Raanta, who was left completely helpless after losing a skate blade.

It was Weber's second goal of the season, and it put the Habs ahead by a pair.
Victor Mete and Phillip Danault collected the helpers.
That's all the scoring there was to report in the middle frame.
The Canadiens went right back to work early in the third period.
Cousins scored his second goal of the 2019-20 campaign at the 1:17 mark to further extend the Habs' lead to 3-0.

Nick Suzuki and Jeff Petry had the assists.
Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun finally got Rick Tocchet's group on the board at 4:47 to cut the Canadiens' advantage to 3-1.
But, Jonathan Drouin responded for the Canadiens at 11:03.
His sixth goal of the season put Montreal ahead by three again.

That's the way things finished up in the desert.
The Canadiens will be back in action on Thursday night in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.