Kovalev leads Canadiens by Senators

MONTREAL — Alex Kovalev returned to the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup Saturday and had a goal and two assists in a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators.

Kovalev, who skipped Montreal’s last two games on the road at general manager Bob Gainey’s request, drew an ovation after he set up Tomas Plekanec’s power-play goal 2:23 in.

The Russian right wing got an even bigger cheer when he scored an unassisted goal at 5:38 to put the Canadiens up 2-0, and still more adulation from the sold-out Bell Centre crowd of 21,273 when he dove to clear a puck out of the zone while killing a penalty moments later.

Canadiens backup Jaroslav Halak made 44 saves.