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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. 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. James Rodriguez Colombia Jersey . Ronaldo netted his 14th goal of the season in Europes top competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahead of next weeks quarterfinal return leg in Germany. But it came at a price as the Portugal forward, who came into the first-leg nursing a sore left knee, came off in the 80th minute. Jose Fernando Cuadrado Jersey .Heres Ralph the Dog with the crew here at TSN jumping into the James Duthie TradeCentre selfie: Happy to drop by! RT @TSN_Sports: @tsnjamesduthie: Take this Ellen. http://www.nationalcolombiafootball.com/...olombia-jersey/. -- Darrelle Revis says at least 26 teams called after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carlos Sanchez Moreno Jersey . The two were in the batting cage moments before game time. Bautista was taking final warm up cuts. Pillar was hitting soft toss. The one-time utility player turned All-Star pulled aside the clubs young, fourth outfielder and offered him some advice. Juan Fernando Quintero Colombia Jersey . Team officials did not indicate the extent of the injury Saturday, simply listing Rose with "left knee soreness." Rose has played two preseason games without any sign of problems. The first NBA game in South America now will be missing its biggest star.College Park, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Jake Layman scored 17 points and No. 19 Maryland rallied in the second half for a 67-57 victory over USC Upstate on Saturday. Melo Trimble had 14 points and 12 rebounds while Evan Smotrycz added 10 points and six boards for the Terrapins (10-1), who have won their past three games. Fred Miller gave 13 points, five boards and five assists and Ty Greene added 11 for the Spartans (8-3), who had a three-game winning streak broken. The Terrapins were trailing by four points to start the second half, and were down by seven when Jared Nickens hit a 3-pointer that kicked off a 12-2 run with Layman capping the burst on a layup for a 38-35 lead six minutes in. Another 11-2 run allowed Maryland to create some distance, as Dammonte Dodds free throws with just over nine minutes to play gave the team a 10-point lead.dddddddddddd The Spartans kept the game from getting out of hand and cut their deficit to just four when Miller made a 3-pointer just inside of two minutes remaining. Layman, though, countered with a 3-pointer and USC Upstate didnt make a bucket the rest of the way. Maryland led for much of the first half, but a jumper from Greene started an 8-0 run by the Spartans that helped the team take a 28-24 lead into the locker room. Game Notes Maryland plays at Oklahoma State next Sunday ... This was the first meeting between these two teams ... Maryland shot 40 percent from the floor and outrebounded USC Upstate, 44-31. ' ' '