Blackhawks 4, Canadiens 3: Brandon Saad's goal with 27 seconds left in the third period lifted host Chicago to its fifth straight win.

Saad pounced on Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov's giveaway to the left of Carey Price and snapped a shot between the goaltender's pads to give the Blackhawks their 10th triumph in 12 contests. Captain Jonathan Toews notched a goal and an assist, blue-liner Michal Rozsival and Ben Smith also scored and Antti Raanta turned aside 38 shots to preserve the victory.

Brendan Gallagher netted a goal and set up another while defensemen Sergei Gonchar and P.K. Subban also tallied for Montreal, which has dropped five of six and hasn't won in Chicago since 2002. Price made 32 saves in defeat.

After Rozsival's first goal of the season opened the scoring at 2:13, Smith doubled the advantage with 1:44 remaining in the first period by pouncing on a loose puck and flipping it over a fallen Price. Gallagher halved the deficit 26 seconds later and Gonchar drew Montreal even at 7:58 of the middle session, firing a low shot past Raanta from the top of the left faceoff circle for his first goal in a Canadiens uniform.

Subban gave Montreal its first lead with 2:38 remaining in the period, blasting a slap shot from above the right circle that sneaked past Raanta's glove during a power play. Toews squared things while on the man advantage 4:18 into the third as he jammed home a loose puck in the crease after Price stopped the initial shot.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Rozsival's goal was just his third in the last four seasons. ... The Canadiens have allowed the first goal in 19 of their first 28 games this season. ... Blackhawks RW Marian Hossa registered an assist but hasn't scored at United Center since the home opener on Oct. 4.