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WASHINGTON -- After David Desharnais had scored his long-awaited first goal of the season, after his team had taken a three-goal lead that prompted Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates to call out his veterans, and after Alex Ovechkin had scored twice to take the solo lead among NHL goal-scorers, there was still a lead for the Montreal Canadiens to preserve in the closing minutes. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . And, for a few hectic seconds, Peter Budaj had to do it without his stick. The Canadiens goaltender lost his stick in a crowd while the Capitals were pressing in the offensive zone. He started to reach down and pick it up, but everything was happening too fast. Finally, he used his pads to stop a close-range shot from Martin Erat and smothered the puck with about three minutes remaining, and Montreal held on for a 3-2 win Friday night. "You feel kind of naked without it," Budaj said. "They had a couple of shots, but the guys, they knew that I had lost the stick and they were blocking shots, and then they had one from the corner there. I wanted to pick it up but then I was, like, I might as well not. I dont want to be getting scored on while Im looking at the stick. Ive just got to focus on the puck." Budaj finished with 25 saves in place of usual starter Carey Price, and Travis Moen and Daniel Briere also scored for the Canadiens, who have won two straight thanks to a resurgence of Desharnais and linemate Max Pacioretty. Desharnais assisted on two of Paciorettys three goals in Tuesdays 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Desharnais struggles had attracted the attention of Montreals new mayor, who suggested on Twitter earlier this month than the forward be sent to the minors. Desharnais finally scored when he perched in front of the net to redirect Josh Gorges drive, a goal that stood after a video review to determine whether it was scored with a high stick. It was part of an outburst in which the Canadiens netted three goals on their first 12 shots, putting the Capitals in a 3-0 hole on the heels of their 4-0 drubbing by rival Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Ovechkin scored on a late first-period power play and again in the third period to give him 19 goals, two ahead of Alexander Steen of the St. Louis Blues, but that wasnt enough to appease Oates, who emphasized a video review over on-ice practice after the Penguins loss. "You know what? When you go on a losing streak, you always end up saying the same thing," Oates said. "Tomorrow morning on the video I will show the same stuff, I know it. ... Tonight Im a little bit more mad at some of the older guys, to help the young kids out. We all watch our shifts, we all watch video, we have a simple formula, and when we dont do it, (the opponents) get chances." NOTES: Michal Neuvirth stopped 28 shots for the Capitals as both teams went with their backup goaltenders, with Neuvirth subbing for Braden Holtby. ... Washington D Mike Green was activated from injured reserve and played after missing three games with a lower body injury. ... The Capitals reassigned D Dmitry Orlov to Hershey of the AHL. ... Wayne Gretzky was a guest in Capitals owner Ted Leonsis box. Wholesale Sabres Jerseys . The commissioners office said Friday that Sears tested positive for metabolites of Methandienone. Sears will be 23 in March. He signed with the Braves in June 2013 out of Arizona Christian, an NAIA school, and is on the roster of the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves. Cheap Sabres Jerseys Authentic . -- Damian Lillard couldnt believe when he got a clear look at the rim. http://www.cheapsabresjerseys.com/ . The 23-year-old McNabb was an All-Star with the American Hockey Leagues Rochester Americans this season, posting seven goals and 22 assists in 38 games. In 12 games with the Sabres this season, McNabb has accumulated six penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating. He has scored one goal and seven assists in 37 career games with the Sabres, who originally selected him in the third round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenceman Nikita Nikitin from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the club, according to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Blue Jackets re-acquired the pick it sent to Edmonton in exchange for defenceman Nick Schultz on March 5. Nikitin reegistered two goals and 13 assists for 15 points in 66 games played with Columbus last season. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Jerseys. He also recorded a plus- 9 rating and 20 penalty minutes. Acquired from St. Louis in exchange for defenceman Kris Russell on November 11, 2011, Nikitin tallied 12-44-56 in 158 games as a Blue Jacket. He has registered 13-52-65 in 206 career NHL games since being selected by the Blues in the fifth round, 136th overall, at the 2004 Entry Draft. ' ' '