Canadiens 2, Coyotes 0: Carey Price registered his 32nd career shutout to remain perfect against Arizona as visiting Montreal avoided its first four-game losing streak of the season.

Lars Eller scored late in the second period and Brendan Gallagher added an empty-net tally as the Canadiens salvaged the finale of their four-game road trip (1-2-1) and maintained their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Price (28 saves) withstood a third-period barrage to post his seventh shutout of the season and improve to 7-0-0 lifetime against the Coyotes.

Mike Smith, bidding to win back-to-back starts for the first time since Nov. 4-7, turned aside 33 shots as Arizona lost for the 11th time in 12 games. The Coyotes, who have dropped 10 of their last 11 at home, have been held to two goals or fewer 14 times in their last 15 contests.

The Canadiens came out swarming in the opening 20 minutes, outshooting Arizona 15-5, and continued to press in the second before breaking the scoreless deadlock with 5:12 left in the period. Devante Smith-Pelly left a drop pass for Eller, who quickly spun and shot from the right faceoff circle before Smith could react.

Arizona nearly got the equalizer early in the third period as David Moss' attempt to stuff home a rebound landed atop the pad of Price, but the whistle blew and a video review showed the goaltender was pushed into his net. The Coyotes unleashed 15 shots in the final period but were unable to break through before Gallagher sealed the win with two seconds remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Eller halted a 14-game goalless drought with his first tally since Feb. 7. ... Coyotes captain Shane Doan appeared in his 1,379th game, moving into sole possession of 39th place on the all-time list. ... Smith-Pelly notched his first point in his sixth game with Montreal since being acquired from Anaheim.