Habs End Penguins Streak

Penguins roster

"That big No. 68 wasn't there and that helps," Hackett said after stopping all 24 shots against the Penguins, who played without their captain Jaromir Jagr.

The Canadiens have 68 points, same as the Penguins, as they fight for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"This wasn't a playoff game, but it had the feeling of one because of what's at stake," Montreal defenseman Eric Weinrich said. "We played it as tight as we could. Granted, they were without Jagr, but we've been without a lot of guys this year, too."

Penguins dropped to 1-5-2 in their last eight games as they were shut out out for the first time since December 22, 1998 against Los Angeles.

"We made two stupid mistakes in the second period," Penguins coach Herb Brooks said. "Two defensemen caught behind the goal line, peewee mistake. Stupid. We just shot ourselves in the foot. Two stupid plays and we put ourselves behind the 8-ball. It's inexcusable in an important game like this."

Montreal improved to 17-7-2 since early January and all the sudden have realistic chances to make it to the playoffs.

"We've accomplished absolutely nothing," Hackett said. "We just dug ourselves out of a hole."