NHL Playoffs : Montreal Has Help Beating Rangers, 4-3

The Montreal Canadiens’ winning goal came from Claude Lemieux, and the assist went to Ray Scapinello.

The problem is, Scapinello is an official who unwittingly helped the Canadiens score a 4-3 overtime victory over the New York Rangers Monday night at New York.

The victory gave Montreal a 3-0 lead in their NHL Stanley Cup semifinal series. Game 4 is Wednesday night in New York.

“It’s one thing to lose,” Rangers’ Coach Ted Sator said. “But not that way. I’d like to be beaten.”

Montreal’s Mike McPhee picked up an errant pass by New York’s Willie Huber at midice and set up Lemieux at 9:41 of overtime.

The Rangers had only Mark Osborne back because defenseman James Patrick collided with Scapinello at center ice.

“It wasn’t a dangerous play until James ran over Scapinello,” Sator said. “I wish I had an answer for what he was doing in the middle of the ice.”

After the game, Scapinello walked into the Rangers’ locker room and apologized.