Canadiens 2, Red Wings 0: Tomas Plekanec scored the tiebreaking goal with 2 1/2 minutes to play in the third period and Carey Price registered his 30th career shutout as visiting Montreal moved back into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division.

Max Pacioretty assisted on the winning tally before sealing the outcome with an empty-net goal as the Canadiens improved to 5-0-1 in their last six and beat Detroit for the fifth consecutive time. Plekanec added an assist and Price turned aside 25 shots to win his fifth straight start, allowing a total of five goals in that span.

Plekanec broke the scoreless deadlock shortly after Price denied Stephen Weiss. Jimmy Howard kicked out a shot by Pacioretty to the left-wing boards, but Dale Weise sent a backhand pass to an onrushing Plekanec, who ripped a shot just inside the left post.

Howard, in his second start since Jan. 10, made 27 saves as the Red Wings tumbled to their third defeat in a row. Detroit's top-ranked power play failed on both chances in its first shutout loss since Dec. 16.

Darren Helm, who had scored four goals in his previous six games, had the Red Wings' best chance in the first period, but Price swallowed up his shot. Howard kept the game scoreless early in the third, flashing his right pad to kick out defenseman Mike Weaver's blast moments before Price gloved Riley Sheahan's slap shot.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Price, who moved past Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy (29 shutouts) for fifth place on the franchise list, has permitted two goals or fewer in 11 of his last 12 outings. ... Canadiens D Sergei Gonchar was not in the lineup after he was driven into the boards by Toronto's David Clarkson on Saturday. ... Red Wings C Johan Franzen, sidelined since suffering a concussion on Jan. 6, has yet to resume off-ice workouts and is not close to returning.