<p>The Atlanta Thrashers usually save their best shots for last.</p><p>The Thrashers are second in the NHL in scoring, and with 40 third-period goals, they are most productive late in games.</p><p>Atlanta came out swinging in the third period again Monday night, outshooting Montreal 13-7, but goaltender Jose Theodore stopped each of the 13 shots to preserve the Canadiens 2-1 win.</p><p>This was his night, Atlantas Ilya Kovalchuk said of Theodore.</p><p>Thrashers goaltender Byron Dafoe also was sharp, giving up two goals in a four-minute stretch at the end of the first period before stopping the Canadiens the rest of the way.</p><p>Basically, four minutes cost us the game, Dafoe said. I thought we played a lot better in the second and third.</p><p>The Thrashers average three goals per game and rank behind only Detroit in scoring, so normally Dafoes effort would be enough for a win. This time, however, Theodore was even better.</p><p>In the third, they really played their game, said Theodore so the Thrashers, who continue to lead the Southeast Division despite suffering back-to-back losses.</p><p>Even when they were down one player, they kept coming on two-on-one chances, Theodore said.</p><p>Theodore denied two scoring chances by Kovalchuk, one by J.P. Vigier and one by Shawn McEachern in the final five minutes of the game.</p><p>The Thrashers generated repeated two-on-one opportunities in the closing minutes despite playing short-handed. Marc Savard drew a five-minute penalty for attempting to injure when he threw an elbow at Montreals Saku Koivu with 6:49 left.</p><p>Theodore has regained the form that made him the NHL MVP two seasons ago. His 2.23 goals-against average and .922 save percentage are better than his career averages.</p><p>Jose made huge saves, Montreals Sheldon Souray said. He does it time and time again. Hes a rock back there.</p><p>Kovalchuk, second in the league in goals and points, was helped off the ice with an ankle injury late in the first period. He returned shortly thereafter.</p><p>On what played out like a short-handed goal, Montreal took a 1-0 lead with 3:39 left in the first period as Kovalchuk was sprawled face down on the ice.</p><p>Andrei Markov scored his third goal of the season from the right circle. Patrice Brisebois and Koivu were credited with the assists.</p><p>With only 13 seconds left in the first, Brisebois earned another assist as Montreal went ahead 2-0 on Pierre Dagenais fifth goal. Dagenais scored on a deflection following a stop by Dafoe.</p><p>The Thrashers cut the deficit to 2-1 at 9:42 of the second period on a shot by Ronald Petrovicky in front of the crease.</p><p>Savards major penalty hampered the Thrashers comeback effort and left Koivu with a possible concussion.</p><p>Julien said Koivus status will be determined Tuesday.</p><p>Savard appeared to keep his elbow low, and the crowd of 17,310 booed the attempt-to-injure ruling.</p><p>Notes:@ The teams will play again on Saturday in Montreal. ... The Canadiens placed C Benoit Gratton on the injured list because of a concussion sustained last Saturday at Carolina. ... The Canadiens placed RW Donald Audette on waivers. He has only three goals and five assists in 23 games. ... Dafoe fell to 16-7-3 against Montreal.</p>
