By Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press

MONTREAL - Vincent Lecavalier assisted on goals from Ryan Malone and Alex Tanguay in the opening period and the Tampa Bay Lightning skated to a 3-1 NHL victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.

James Wright also scored for the Lightning (6-4-5), which ended up with a 2-1-1 record on a four-game road trip that started with a 6-2 loss in Philadelphia.

Brian Gionta got his seventh of the season for Montreal (8-9-0).

Antero Niittymaki, who went into the game with a 1-8-1 career record against the Canadiens, made 36 saves for the win, including 15 in the third period. He is 4-1-2 this season, with only six goals allowed in his last four starts.

The Canadiens were buzzing the net early but couldn't get puck behind Niittymaki before the Lightning took over a scored twice.

Vincent Lecavalier's point shot on a power play went off the end boards and was tipped in front, where Malone's first shot was stopped by defenceman Josh Gorges but the second went in for his 10th of the season at 10:09.

With 47 seconds left in the period, Price left a big rebound off a long shot in front of him for Tanguay to score on a high shot.

Montreal scored on its first power play of the game 9:44 into the second frame when Gionta was at the doorstep to bat the rebound of Jaroslav Spacek's shot in out of the air.

But with 1:59 left in the period, the Lightning broke out after a long stretch trapped in their zone and ex-Canadien Tanguay's backhander dropped behind Price and slid in after Wright crashed into the crease. The goal stood up to video review.

NOTES: Second overall draft pick Victor Hedman sat out with the head injury he suffered Thursday in Ottawa on a hit from Chris Neil and was replaced by Kurtis Foster. Todd Fedoruk and Matt Smaby also sat out for the Bolts. . . Jay Leach, acquired Friday from New Jersey on waivers, did not play for Montreal, which wants him to practice at least once with the team before he starts. Greg Stewart and Kyle Chipchura were scratched.