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. 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. Cheap White Sox Jerseys . -- Jerome Verrier scored once and set up two more as the Drummondville Voltigeurs downed the visiting Chicoutimi Sagueneens 5-1 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play. Chicago White Sox Gear . He was 90. The team announced Monday that Adams had died, saying he "passed away peacefully from natural causes." The son of a prominent oil executive, Adams built his own energy fortune and founded the Houston Oilers. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/ . Kerber will next play Estonias Kaia Kanepi, who beat American qualifier Victoria Duval 6-1, 6-3. In other first-round matches, Lucie Safarova beat 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-4 and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands had a 6-4, 6-3 win over Canadas Eugenie Bouchard. Custom Chicago White Sox Jerseys . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. Chicago White Sox Shirts . Costa injured his right thigh muscle against Barcelona last Saturday and had sought treatment in Belgrade from a doctor specializing in using fluid derived from horse placenta to repair damaged cells.DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings defenceman Jonathan Ericsson could miss three to five weeks with broken ribs. Ericsson left Monday nights loss to the New York Islanders, Detroits most recent game, in the second period. He is expected to be eevaluated again in two weeks to determine when he might come back.dddddddddddd Ericsson has a goal and seven assists in 29 games this season. The injury puts the 29-year-old Swedes availability in doubt for the Sochi Olympics. ' ' '