Montreal, QC (My Sportsbook) - Robert Lang's empty-net goal proved to be the game-winner in a wild finish at Bell Centre, as the Montreal Canadiens blew a a three-goal lead in the third period but eventually barely held on to secure a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Andrei Kostitsyn's goal with 5:11 remaining in regulation put the Habs back on top 4-3 after they allowed three Atlanta goals within 59 seconds earlier in the period.

Andrei Markov, Matt D'Agostini and Tomas Plekanec also scored for Montreal, which has won three of its last four games. Carey Price allowed four goals on 26 shots in the victory.

Ron Hainsey scored twice for the Thrashers, who produced a stellar comeback with the three quick goals that erased a 3-0 deficit, but fell short and fell to 1-6-1 since a five-game win streak in early November. Jason Williams scored with 20 seconds remaining and Johan Hedberg made 28 saves in the losing effort.

"This has been the story of our season," said Atlanta head coach John Anderson. "All season, we've been coming back. We have a lot of character. Montreal is a very difficult place to play."

With the score tied 3-3, the Canadiens grabbed a one-goal lead at the 14:49 mark of the third on Kostitsyn's fifth goal. He swooped in along the high left half-wall and won a race for the loose puck. Streaking toward the net through the circle, Kostitsyn cradled the puck and mustered a wrister from near the left post that deflected off sliding Atlanta defenseman Tobias Enstrom and past the surprised Hedberg.

When Lang deposited the disc into the empty net -- after Atlanta pulled Hedberg for the extra skater -- with 1:15 to go, the crowd headed for the exits. However, Williams made things interesting by beating Price from the right circle and the visitors were within 5-4.

It was not enough, though, as Montreal used one final clear and skated off with the win.

Montreal was in complete control and held a 3-0 lead in the third period until the visitors suddenly woke up and scored three in a row.

First, at 6:28, Hainsey's blast from the high slot flew past Price with the help of a screen by Slava Kozlov.

The goal ignited the Atlanta forwards, who began to skate with a purpose and the hustle led to a power play due to a hooking minor called on Tom Kostopoulos.

On the ensuing man advantage, during a scrum in the crease, the puck barely slide over the goal line after Hainsey's second whack at it. The play was reviewed, but cameras above the net could not overturn the original call on the ice and the goal stood at 7:20.

Only seven seconds later, the game was tied. Following Hainsey's second goal of the game -- and fifth of the season -- the Thrashers won the faceoff at center and quickly moved the puck into their offensive zone. Ilya Kovalchuk passed from the half-wall near the left point to Marty Reasoner above the near circle. Reasoner then quickly fed the disc across the slot for a successful one-timer by Thorburn from inside the right circle.

The three goals within 59 seconds marked the fastest three tallies in Atlanta franchise history. In addition, the two goals that were scored seven seconds apart -- the second by Hainsey and Thorburn's marker -- set a franchise record for the fastest two goals ever scored by Atlanta.

The Canadiens opened the scoring with 3:39 to play in the first period. Kostitsyn gathered the loose puck along the outer rim of the left circle and skated along the rear boards behind the net. He attempted a stuffer at the right post, but D'Agostini was on the doorstep and punched home the rebound for his first career goal.

"If I can play with guys like that, hopefully I can stay in the lineup," said D'Agostini. "Those are the kinds of goals you have to get, just go to the net and hope for the best."

Plekanec's sixth goal of the year gave Montreal a 2-0 lead when he lasered a slap shot past Hedberg from the top of the left circle at 14:22 of the second.

In the latter stages of the middle session, a goaltender interference call on Jim Slater led to a power-play goal for the Habs. Montreal worked the puck around the perimeter until Robert Lang released a wrist shot from the point. The disc bounced off Hedberg's pads and directly to Markov, who was stationed at the base of the left circle and he easily deposited the rebound into the back of the cage with 56 seconds remaining.

Game Notes

Montreal is now 11-4-2 in its last 17 games versus Atlanta...With his two goals, Hainsey now has 100 for his career...Montreal captain Saku Koivu, who garnered two assists, is tied with Mats Naslund for 11th place on the all-time points list in Montreal franchise history (612)...Atlanta defenseman Mathieu Schneider missed the game with an upper-body injury...The Thrashers fell to 3-7-2 on the road this season...Montreal improved to 7-2-2 at home in 2008-09...Both teams finished 1-for-3 on the power play.