Cole Caufield's OT winner lifts Canadiens over Sharks

Cole Caufield scored 3:21 into overtime to lift the host Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 victory over the reeling San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

Caufield received a slick backhanded pass from captain Nick Suzuki and skated around Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini before shoveling the puck past Alexandar Georgiev. Caufield's 28th goal of the season tied his career high.

Suzuki collected two goals and an assist to boost his point total to eight (three goals, five assists) in his last three games.

Alex Newhook scored a goal and Sam Montembeault turned aside 23 shots for the Canadiens, who have won three in a row for the fourth time this season. Montreal also posted a 4-3 win over San Jose on Feb. 4.

San Jose's Will Smith recorded a goal and an assist, while Fabian Zetterlund and Nico Sturm each scored a goal.

Alex Wennberg notched two assists and Georgiev made 29 saves for the sinking Sharks, who have lost seven in a row (0-4-3) and 13 of the last 14 games (1-10-3).

Zetterlund converted from the doorstep to open the scoring at 3:56 of the first period, however Suzuki finished off a two-on-one rush with Caufield just under three minutes later to forge a 1-1 tie.

A nifty move by Collin Graf allowed the young forward to set up Sturm in the slot to regain the lead for San Jose at 12:38 of the first period. Suzuki, however, replied from the left circle with 56 seconds left in the session.

San Jose led 3-2 after the second period after defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin, stationed behind his own net, played the puck high off the glass to an awaiting Smith. The young forward skated up the left wing and wired a shot from the left circle that sailed under the crossbar with under three minutes left in the frame.

Newhook scored at the back post to forge a 3-3 tie at 2:22 of the third period. Owen Beck had an assist to pick up his first career NHL point.

--Field Level Media