Ilya Kovalchuk's overtime blast lifted the Atlanta Thrashers to a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday in Atlanta.

With the Thrashers enjoying their seventh power play of the game, their captain finally converted one for his team, sending a wrist shot high from the left circle that beat Canadiens goaltender Carey Price at 1:18 of the extra frame.

Montreal killed Atlanta's first six power-play opportunities and had not allowed a goal in 33 straight short-handed situations over seven games. The streak ended on Kovalchuk's goal with only three seconds remaining in the overtime power play that carried over from the end of the third period.

"It was a tough way to end it," said Glen Metropolit, who was in the box for high sticking when Kovalchuk scored the winner. "Our penalty kill has been great."

Montreal (15-15-3) has now lost two straight after stringing together three consecutive victories.

Atlanta (16-11-3) snapped a three-game losing streak in its first contest home from a four-game trip.

The Thrashers started the night barely ahead of Montreal for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

"They were one point behind us and we knew that," Kovalchuk said. "When you drop a few in a row, teams catch up to you. We need to win a couple now."

Metropolit opened the scoring on the first shot of the game, stepping out of the right corner and lifting a backhand off the post and past Johan Hedberg with Montreal on a power play.

Atlanta came close midway through the first period. After a flurry of shots on Price, Maxim Afinogenov wired a wrist shot from the top of the circle, but it was turned aside by Price.

The Canadiens backstop made another highlight reel save just three minutes later. Afinogenov found a streaking Slava Kozlov, who one-timed a sure goal, but Price snared the offering with his glove, keeping the game at 1-0.

Montreal added to the lead at 6:44 of the second frame.

Forward Andrei Kostitsyn won a battle in the corner, stepped off the half boards and buried a wrister past Hedberg for his sixth goal of the season.

Atlanta pressed the Habs at the midpoint of the second, but Price was there again to shut the door. Eric Boulton fired a one-timer on net but a diving Price gloved the puck down, keeping the game at 2-0.

The home side finally found the scoresheet 11 minutes into the second.

Forward Todd White directed the puck to Pavel Kubina. The defenceman found Cristoph Schubert at the point, who sent a shot on goal that fooled Price and cut the lead in half.

Atlanta wasted little time evening the score. After a bad rebound by Price, rookie Evander Kane's no look backhand pass found Colby Armstrong in front, who shot it into the open cage, making it 2-2.

Kostitsyn helped the Habs retake the lead just 90 seconds later. The Canadiens forward blasted a slapshot into the top corner and past Hedberg for his second goal of the game.

Nik Antropov also scored for the Thrashers.