Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Alex Kovalev's power play goal 2:30 into overtime gave the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the Bell Centre.

Boston had rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime, but Jeremy Reich took a tripping penalty just 1:31 into the extra session and the Habs took advantage.

Kovalev had the disc along the left boards, took a stride into the left circle and blasted a shot that went off the right shoulder of Tim Thomas and into the net to give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

"We had more of an opportunity on earlier power plays and I had a better line to shoot with," said Kovalev. "But at the end of the game, I took the shot from the outside and it was a good switch for us."

Roman Hamrlik and Sergei Kostitsyn each scored in regulation while rookie goaltender Carey Price stopped 37 shots for the Canadiens, who will now travel to Boston for Game 3, set to take place on Sunday.

"I know we didn't press any panic buttons when they tied the game," said Price. "They played really well tonight. They deserved to win just as much as we did, but tonight it went our way."

Peter Schaefer and David Krejci each had a goal while Thomas made 28 saves in the loss for the Bruins, who have lost all 10 games they have played against the Canadiens this season, which includes the regular season.

"You give them that many chances it's eventually going to hurt you," said Reich. "We have to stay out of the penalty box, myself included. We can't be taking penalties all the time. Come tomorrow, we have to fight our way back into this series."

Boston had a pair of power-play opportunities in the first period, but were unable to capitalize as Price made several saves to keep the Bruins off the board.

The Canadiens, though, did take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission with a tally just 1:30 from the end of the frame. Steve Begin collided with Andrew Alberts in the Montreal end to cause a turnover and the Habs took the puck into the Boston end. Hamrlik eventually got the puck and from the left point blasted a shot past Thomas.

Price finished the first period with 12 saves.

Montreal grabbed a 2-0 lead just 1:50 into the second period. Kovalev brought the puck around the Bruins net, and from the low left circle flicked a shot that deflected off a Bruin. The puck bounced to the stick of Patrice Brisebois, who sent a shot that made it through. Thomas made the save, but Kostitsyn was there to knock in the rebound.

With under three minutes left in the second, Kostitsyn was sprung on a breakaway, but Thomas came up with the save on the low backhander to keep it a two-goal game.

Price again blanked the Bruins by making 13 saves in the second period.

Boston made it a 2-1 game at the 3:58 mark of the third. On the fly, Petteri Nokelainen let loose with a low shot from the right circle that Price stopped, but the rebound kicked out front and Schaefer knocked it in.

With under 11 minutes to play, Kovalev skated down the ice on a breakaway, but he lifted a backhander high over the right side of the net.

The missed opportunity proved fortunate for the Bruins as the team tied the game with 10:26 to play. On a 5-on-3 power play, Marc Savard sent a pass from the left point to the low right side for Marco Sturm, who dished it across to Krejci for the easy tap-in.

Montreal had a power play late in the third period and Brisebois nearly gave Montreal the win with a shot from the left point that beat Thomas with just seconds to play, but the puck rang off the right post and the game went to overtime.