PITTSBURGH -- The Montreal Canadiens did everything they could to shut down the NHL's hottest scorer, Sidney Crosby. But they weren't as successful in controlling the league's leading scorer, Evgeni Malkin.

Malkin scored on a power play 1:54 into overtime after Conor Sheary tied it in the final minute of regulation and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Canadiens on Saturday night.

Pittsburgh finished off the best December in the franchise's 50-year history with a 12-1-2 record.

The reigning Stanley Cup champions are one point behind the surging Columbus Blue Jackets, who have won 15 in a row.

Malkin, who also had an assist, whistled a slap shot under the crossbar a few seconds after goalie Carey Price stopped Crosby at point-blank range. The Canadiens were down a man after accidentally sending out an extra defender as the Penguins were on a two-on-one break.

"That shot was unbelievable, and it takes an unbelievable shot to beat him (Price)," Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz said. Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan called Malkin's line drive of a shot "a goal scorer's goal."

The Canadiens called it a bad finish to what otherwise was a good night - at least until the final minute of the third.

"It's always tough to lose a game when you're up with a minute left, and to lose in overtime is not too much fun," said Price, who engaged in a goaltenders' duel with the Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury. Each made 37 saves, with Fleury improving to 6-0-1 in his last seven decisions..

"You don't see many games where both goaltenders are making that many high quality saves," Sullivan said.

The Penguins pulled Fleury with just over a minute to go to add an extra attacker, and they got the tying goal when Schultz's shot from just inside the blue line deflected off the Canadiens' Max Pacioretty and Sheary before sailing past Price.

"I shoot on him (Price) all summer and I don't think I scored one goal on him all summer," Schultz said.

Before that, Paul Byron tied it for the Canadiens in the final minute of the second period and Brian Flynn nudged them ahead 2:04 into the third by putting in a rebound that deflected off the skates of defenseman Chad Ruhwedel into the net.

Crosby, shadowed by Shea Weber during the defenseman's 800th NHL game, didn't score a goal for the first time in six games but still leads the NHL with 26 goals in 32 games. Malkin leads him 43-42 in the team scoring race.

Alexander Radulov also scored for Montreal, but said afterward, "The whole night, it was great goaltending, but we need to play better and more disciplined and don't take those penalties." The Penguins were 0-for-4 on the power play until scoring in overtime.

Patric Hornqvist and Phil Kessel scored 3:21 apart in the second period to give the Penguins a 2-1 lead.

Hornqvist has three goals and two assists in his last three games on New Year's Eve but was stopped another time by Price at close range. The Canadiens goalie also stopped Malkin inside the crease with Pittsburgh attempting to tie the score in the third period, but Malkin then beat him in overtime.

"As a goaltender, you always think you can do more," Price said.

The Canadiens now have lost in overtime twice and won in overtime once during their current road trip. The trek continues Tuesday night in Nashville, where Weber played for 11 seasons, following a quick return trip back to Montreal.

"We've got to find a way to close it out," Weber said.

The Penguins didn't score against Price despite getting the game's initial three power plays in the first period, but that quickly changed early in the second.

With Montreal up 1-0 on Radulov's eighth goal of the season, Weber's giveaway -- forced by defenseman Kris Letang, back in the lineup after missing seven games with a lower body injury - led to Hornqvist's tying goal 67 seconds into the period.

Hornqvist skated to the right post, putting him in perfect position to steer Malkin's pass from the left circle into the net.

Kessel then put the Penguins up 2-1 with only his second goal in nine games, chasing down a loose puck as it deflected off the side boards before outskating defenseman Ryan Johnston to the net. Kessel switched from his forehand to his backhand to beat Price inside the near post for his 12th goal of the season.

Carl Hagelin, who picked up the second assist on Hornqvist's goal, had the primary assist.

Byron tied it with 39 seconds left in the second by deflecting defenseman Jeff Petry's one-timer from the blue line for his 12th goal of the season.

The Penguins now get a rare week off during the middle of the season, not playing again until Jan. 8 against Tampa Bay. The way they're playing now, perhaps they'd prefer not to be off.

"We've put ourselves in a good position before a break, and everybody will be able to relax and will be refreshed when we come back," Fleury said.

NOTES: Canadiens D Shea Weber played in his 800th game, all but 37 with the Nashville Predators. He opposed Pittsburgh for only the 13th time in his 12-season career. ... Penguins D Kris Letang returned after sitting out seven games with a lower-body injury, playing nearly 26 minutes - or about his normal. He told Sullivan after the game that he felt fine. The Penguins were 4-1-1 during his absence. ... Penguins D Olli Maatta also was back following a two-game absence while ill. ... The Penguins called up G Tristan Jarry from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) due to G Matt Murray's lower body injury. Murray is listed as week to week. Jarry started two games during the preseason, getting a shutout in each. ... Montreal G Carey Price started against Pittsburgh for the first time since Oct. 13, 2015. G Al Montoya started the only other game against the Penguins this season, making 36 saves in the Canadiens' 4-0 victory in Montreal on Oct. 18. ... The Penguins don't play again until Jan. 8 against Tampa Bay. The Canadiens play three games during that span.