Fleury’s 32 saves lead Penguins past Canadiens 2-1

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Marc-Andre Fleury made 32 saves, Kris Letang scored on a power play after accidentally setting up Montreal’s decisive goal in the previous game and the Pittsburgh Penguins moved to within a victory of eliminating the Canadiens by winning 2-1 on Saturday night.

Sergei Gonchar also scored as the reigning Stanley Cup champions seized a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 6 set for Montreal on Monday night. The Canadiens, held to four goals in the last three games, must win to force a Game 7 on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

Sidney Crosby remained without a goal in the series and Evgeni Malkin also didn’t find the net — he did set up Letang’s pivotal goal late in the first period — but the Penguins had enough offense without their stars to support Fleury’s best game of the playoffs.

Full story appears in Sunday’s edition of The Vindicator.