Canadiens 3, Panthers 2 (OT): Max Pacioretty scored a power-play goal 2:59 into overtime as Montreal edged visiting Florida to clinch a playoff berth.

With Vincent Trocheck off for high-sticking, David Desharnais set up Pacioretty at the right post for the winner and Carey Price made 21 saves en route to his league-leading 41st victory. Alex Galchenyuk reached the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career and Lars Eller also tallied for the Canadiens, who moved three points ahead of second-place Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division.

Aleksander Barkov recorded his first career two-goal performance and Jonathan Huberdeau notched a pair of assists for the Panthers, who fell four points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Roberto Luongo remained at 399 career wins after making 22 saves.

Defenseman Jeff Petry’s shot from the left point caromed off Barkov and directly to Eller, who scored the opening goal from the right faceoff circle at 17:37 of the first period. Barkov responded when he zipped up the slot, accepted Huberdeau’s pass, deked and lifted a backhand shot over Price’s left shoulder 6:09 into the second.

Barkov made it 2-1 at 13:11 with a redirection during power play, but Galchenyuk was left alone on the right side of the net while on the man advantage 84 seconds later to forge a tie. Price and Luongo each made big saves late in regulation to send the game to overtime as the Panthers had an 8-5 edge in shots during the third period.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Pacioretty has recorded five points in his last five contests and matched his career best from 2011-12 with his 65th point, while Montreal D P.K. Subban assisted on the winning goal for his 53rd point, equaling his career high set last season. … Florida C Nick Bjugstad underwent surgery on a herniated disk in his lower back Friday and is lost for the season. … Montreal C Tomas Plekanec notched an assist, giving him eight points in his last eight games.