Canadiens Finally End Losing Streak

Michel Therrien earned his first NHL coaching victory with help from a goaltender he knows well.

Rookie Mathieu Garon, who played for Therrien in the American Hockey League the last two seasons, made 25 saves as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Atlanta Thrashers, 6-0, at Atlanta on Thursday night to end a six-game losing streak.

“It’s a team effort,� Therrien said. “Everybody contributed tonight. The fourth line got the job done, the power play got the job done, penalty killing got the job done and Garon was outstanding.�

Atlanta, which lost center Patrik Stefan to a concussion and a broken nose only 1:47 into the game, dropped its fourth in a row.

Craig Darby had a goal and two assists and was one of six players to score for Montreal, which fired Coach Alain Vigneault and General Manager Rejean Houle on Monday after a 5-13-2 start gave it the 30-team league’s worst record. Montreal lost, 4-1, to Florida on Tuesday in the first game for Therrien and new GM Andre Savard.

Edmonton 5, Ottawa 3--Anson Carter scored his first goal for Edmonton as the Oilers won at Kanata, Canada, to run their unbeaten streak against the Senators to 11 games.