AP

Kastelic gets first 2 goals, Senators top Canadiens 6-4

Apr 23, 2022, 7:30 AM | Updated: 8:49 pm

Ottawa Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic (23) leans into Montreal Canadiens center Rem Pitlick (32...

Ottawa Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic (23) leans into Montreal Canadiens center Rem Pitlick (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)


              The late hockey legend Guy Lafleur, who died Friday, is memorialized before an NHL hockey game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens in Ottawa, Ontario on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Lafleur, among the sport's all-time greats, died at age 70 following a battle with lung cancer. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              The late hockey legend Guy Lafleur, who died Friday, is memorialized before an NHL hockey game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens in Ottawa, Ontario on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Lafleur, among the sport's all-time greats, died at age 70 following a battle with lung cancer. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              The name of the late hockey legend Guy Lafleur, who died Friday, is seen on an LED display during a moment of silence before an NHL hockey game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens in Ottawa, Ontario on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Lafleur, among the sport's all-time greats, died at age 70 following a battle with lung cancer. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Ottawa Senators left wing Parker Kelly (45) leaps as the puck passes over the head of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) makes a glove save as defenseman Chris Wideman (20) and Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) and center Josh Norris (9) watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Ottawa Senators centre Mark Kastelic (47) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Ottawa Senators centre Josh Norris (9) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Ottawa Senators centre Mark Kastelic (47) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens as Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) reacts during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Ottawa Senators left wing Parker Kelly (45) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Ottawa Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic (23) leans into Montreal Canadiens center Rem Pitlick (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 23, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Mark Kastelic scored his first NHL goal and his second ended up being the game-winner for the Ottawa Senators, who beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-4 on Saturday night.

“That was so much fun,” Kastelic said. “Probably the most memorable game of my career and super exciting to do it with the guys in that room. They’re so supportive and just a fun atmosphere to be in.”

Kastelic won’t soon forget his first goal — he ended up fighting Michael Pezzetta immediately after.

“I have not done that before, so that’s a first, but in my defense, I did not know I scored,” he said. “So that’s just kind of a funny situation.

Austin Watson, Josh Norris, Parker Kelly and Alex Formenton also scored for the Senators, while Anton Forsberg made 44 saves.

Rem Pitlick had a pair of goals and Cole Caufield and Joel Edmundson also scored for Montreal, which has lost eight straight. Carey Price, making his third consecutive start, stopped 20 shots.

The Canadiens had No. 10 patches on their jerseys in honor of Guy Lafleur, who died Friday at age 70. Prior to puck drop, the Senators showed video highlights of Lafleur, which led to a chant of “Guy, Guy,” as many got to their feet. The Senators also held a moment of silence for Lafleur, who was from Thurso, Quebec, just east of Ottawa.

It was the first meeting of the teams since Brendan Gallagher criticized Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle of feigning injury. While Stutzle was scoreless, he drew three penalties and there was a fight in the opening minutes of the game.

“I guess it added a little bit of intensity for the game,” Gallagher said. “Honestly, there wasn’t much happening. Both teams were trying to win a hockey game. Both teams were playing. I’ve said this before — he’s a really good player. We’ve got to be aware of him and try to play hard on him and do all that. But he’s a really good player.”

Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot, who returned to the lineup after missing 19 games due to a hand fracture, defended Stutzle.

“We practice every day. We’re around him every day. He’s a competitor. He’s getting back up every time and when you’re a talented player in this league, unfortunately, you get targeted a lot and a lot of guys are going to go after you,” he said. “But I think it’s all part of the learning curve and to see him the way he showed up tonight and battle all night I think it just shows a lot about his personality and him as a player.”

The Senators jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the second period thanks to a trio of goals scored in a span of 67 seconds. Watson opened the scoring in the first minute, followed by Kelly beating Price stick side at 6:43 of the period. Just 32 seconds later, Norris beat Price from in close, and 35 seconds after that, Kastelic scored his second of the night.

Montreal called a timeout and rebounded, scoring twice to make it 5-3 as Caufield took a great pass from Mike Hoffman to beat Forsberg stick side.

The Senators were able to regain their three-goal cushion as Formenton beat Jeff Petry in a foot race for his fifth shorthanded goal of the season.

Trailing 6-3 to start the third, Pitlick scored his second of the game midway through the period. The Canadiens kept pressing, but Forsberg was solid.

“It sucks to lose,” Pitlick said. “I think that as a team, and as an athlete, there is that fire and frustration when you lose. Like, we’re (ticked) off, but we’re just going to keep working. There’s nothing you can do other than trying to keep getting better and hopefully it bounces in your favor.”

NOTES

Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot returned to the lineup after missing the last 19 games with a fractured hand. Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev were both unable to play and Scott Sabourin was recalled from AHL Belleville … Montreal’s Pezzetta returned to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension, while Jordan Harris took Kale Clague’s spot on the blue line.

UP NEXT

Canadiens: Host Boston on Sunday night.

Senators: Host New Jersey on Tuesday night.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

Kastelic gets first 2 goals, Senators top Canadiens 6-4