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The Canadiens came roaring back to defeat Oilers

Canadiens Coyotes Hockey

Montreal Canadiens left wing Phillip Danault (24), left wing Max Pacioretty (67), and defenseman Andrei Markov (79) celebrate a goal by Alexander Radulov against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Canadiens defeated the Coyotes 5-4 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

AP

Well, that was sudden.

Looking to move out of fourth place in the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers had a one-goal late third-period lead over the Montreal Canadiens before it all went horribly wrong for Todd McLellan and his group on Sunday.

Paul Byron, inserted into the lineup after battling the flu, tied the game. OK, no biggie for the Oilers. It’s just a tied game and with 6:27 remaining to go about finding a late winner.

Instead, it was the Habs that found the winning goal -- on an odd bounce that appeared to hit off Edmonton defenseman Oscar Klefbom following the initial shot (or was it a pass?) from Max Pacioretty, who was credited with the goal.

Montreal would score twice more in the final 1:07 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

“It’s tough to swallow,” said Jordan Eberle, per the Oilers. “All of a sudden you go from leading the game for the majority ... to being down with a little bit of time to get back.

“Any time something like that happens -- you think you’re in control and then it changes that quickly -- it sucks.”

Edmonton will remain fourth in the Pacific and in the first wild card spot.

That’s a big win for the Canadiens. They jump back ahead of the Ottawa Senators for the lead in the Atlantic Division.