Batherson stars as Senators shut out Canadiens 4-0

Drake Batherson had two goals and an assist, and the Ottawa Senators beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Saturday.

Artem Zub and Nikita Zaitsev also scored for last-place Ottawa, which had dropped five of six. Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris each had two assists.

Matt Murray made 23 saves in his first shutout of the season and No. 12 for his career.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) reacts after being scored against by Ottawa Senators' Drake Batherson (19) as Canadiens' Phillip Danault looks on during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal lost for the fifth time in seven games. It has managed just 11 goals during the tough stretch.

Carey Price finished with 11 saves for the Canadiens. Price returned to the lineup after missing six games with a lower-body injury.

The rebuilding Senators improved to 5-3-0 against the Canadiens this season, with three of their six road wins in 2021 coming at the Bell Centre.

Ottawa Senators' Drake Batherson (19) celebrates with teammates Brady Tkachuk (7), Josh Norris (9) and Erik Brannstrom after scoring against the Montreal Canadiens during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)

Batherson has 11 points in eight games against Montreal.

Zub put Ottawa ahead to stay when he buried a wrist shot from the top of the slot 3:03 into the first period. It was Zub's third of the season.

Batherson made it 2-0 at 13:12 in the second period. He took a feed from Brady Tkachuk and fooled Price with a five-hole shot for his 14th goal.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray (30) makes a save as Montreal Canadiens' Jesperi Kotkaniemi (15) looks for a rebound during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)

Batherson added a power-play goal in the third, and Zaitsev tacked on an empty-netter.

HE'S HERE

Senators forward Shane Pinto made his NHL debut. He got an assist on Zaitsev's goal for his first point.

Pinto is the fifth Ottawa player to make his NHL debut this season.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is scored against by Ottawa Senators' Drake Batherson, not shown, during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)

UP NEXT

Senators: Visit Calgary on Monday night.

Canadiens: Open a five-game trip Monday night at Edmonton.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Ottawa Senators' Colin White, left, moves in against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray, left, stops Montreal Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray, left, stops Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators' Josh Norris moves in against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price who clears the puck during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Graham HughesThe Canadian Press via AP)