Novak scores in overtime as Penguins survive blown lead to edge Canadiens

PITTSBURGH — Tommy Novak scored his second goal of the game 1:33 into overtime to help the Pittsburgh Penguins recover from blowing a four-goal lead and win 6-5 against the Montreal Canadiens at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.

Novak, who also had an assist, won it on a wrist shot from the right circle off a pass from Evgeni Malkin on a 2-on-1.

"Anytime you kind of give up a lead like that, it feels good to come through with the two points," Novak said. "That's huge."

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Nick Suzuki had a goal and three assists for Montreal, setting up two goals in 24 seconds with the goalie pulled to tie the game late in the third period.

He first sent a pass from behind the net to Chris Kreider for a one-timer in the slot, cutting it to 5-4 with 1:08 left, then set up Ivan Demidov at the right post with a pass through the crease to tie it 5-5 with 44 seconds remaining.

"We're a skilled enough team to score in those situations and get a point," Suzuki said. "We have to clean some stuff up, obviously."

Cole Caufield scored twice for the Canadiens, while Kreider and Demidov each had a goal and an assist.

Malkin had a goal and two assists for Pittsburgh, with Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang each adding two assists. Ben Kindel, Samuel Girard and Declan Carlile also scored for the Penguins.

The Penguins opened a 5-1 lead with a four-goal second period, outshooting Montreal 23-5 during a 25-minute stretch.

Caufield had put Montreal ahead 1-0 early in the first period before Malkin tied it on a power play. Carlile and Girard scored early in the second, followed by Novak and Kindel on a power play.

Suzuki cut the deficit to 5-2 late in the second, and Caufield made it 5-3 early in the third before the late-game heroics.

"Once the brain goes, it's hard to prevent stuff," Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. "That's why you want to play a much simpler game. ... We got a little stubborn with that because we know what we can do in possession."

Malkin recorded his 1,411th point, passing Dale Hawerchuk for 22nd place in NHL history. Sidney Crosby's assist on Girard's goal was his 1,109th, tying Joe Thornton for seventh in league history.

Franchise icon Mario Lemieux took part in a ceremonial puck drop to celebrate the Penguins' 60th season.

Montreal, which reached the Eastern Conference Final last season, was seeking its first 2-0 start since 2015-16.

Up next: The Canadiens begin a four-game homestand Tuesday against Carolina. The Penguins host Winnipeg on Monday.

With files from The Globe and Mail, Yahoo Sports and TSN