Canadiens 4, Jets 2: David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty scored less than three minutes apart midway through the third period as visiting Montreal kept pace atop the Northeast Division by defeating Winnipeg, which was eliminated from postseason contention earlier in the evening.

Rene Bourque and rookie Brendan Gallagher also tallied and Carey Price turned aside 23 shots for the Canadiens, who won for just the second time in seven outings to remain even with Original Six rival Boston. The Bruins, who have a game in hand, skated to a 2-0 triumph over Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Blake Wheeler and James Wright scored while Ondrej Pavelec finished with 26 saves for the Jets, who were eliminated after the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators posted overtime victories.

After Gallagher forged a 2-2 tie at 2:07 of the third, Desharnais gave Montreal the lead 5:50 later by converting a 5-on-3 power-play opportunity. Defenseman P.K. Subban's shot from the point was denied by Pavelec, but Desharnais cleaned up the rebound.

Pacioretty provided an insurance goal, his 15th, at 10:50 to make it 4-2, with Subban again picking up an assist.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Montreal will wrap up its regular season at Toronto on Saturday. That game also could serve as a preview of a first-round matchup. Boston will visit Washington on Saturday before finishing up at home against Ottawa on Sunday. The latter game was rescheduled from April 15 - the day of the Boston Marathon bombings. ... Montreal swept the season series to extend its winning streak over Winnipeg to five games. ... Wheeler tucked home a loose puck on the doorstep with 5:17 remaining in the second period. He has recorded five goals and eight assists in his last nine contests.