Canadiens 4, Hurricanes 1: Max Pacioretty scored twice and Jeff Halpern tallied for the first time in more than a year as host Montreal won its third straight game to extend its lead atop the Northeast Division.

Halpern, who was claimed off waivers from the New York Rangers after registering one assist in 30 games, fired a loose puck in the slot past Justin Peters for his first goal since Feb. 25, 2012. Defenseman Andrei Markov scored on the power play and Carey Price turned aside 18 shots for the Canadiens, who improved to 10-0-0 against Southeast Division opponents.

Jordan Staal had the lone goal and Peters made 25 saves in his fourth consecutive start for Carolina, which has one win in its last nine games (1-7-1).

Staal opened the scoring 3:38 into the game, but Markov forged a tie with a one-timer late in the session while Drayson Bowman served a hooking penalty. Defenseman P.K. Subban set up Markov for his sixth point during his three-game streak as Montreal recorded its sixth power-play goal in as many games.

After Halpern gave the Canadiens the lead early in the second period, Pacioretty cut to the net on a great individual effort and buried his own rebound at 10:58 of the third. Pacioretty added an empty-net goal as Montreal moved three points ahead of idle Boston in the Northeast, while the Hurricanes remained four points behind Winnipeg in the Southeast.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Montreal rookie D Nathan Beaulieu assisted on Halpern’s goal for his first NHL point in his second career game. ... Halpern’s last goal - scored against Toronto as a member of the Washington Capitals - also was a game-winner. ... Montreal swept Carolina in the season series after winning the first two games by a combined score of 7-2.