Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Erik Cole, Alex Galchenyuk and Lars Eller all had second-period goals as the Montreal Canadiens cruised to a 3-0 victory over the reeling New York Rangers at Bell Centre.

All three players also recorded an assist to back a 17-save performance from Carey Price that resulted in the Montreal goaltender's 18th career shutout.

The surprising Canadiens are now 6-0-1 in their last seven games, with Tuesday's 3-1 decision over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden included in that stretch, and presently top the Eastern Conference with 26 points.

The Rangers, meanwhile, have now dropped a season-high three straight -- all of which have come with injured sniper Rick Nash out of the lineup -- and have mustered a mere three goals over that stretch.

Martin Biron stopped just 15-of-18 shots for New York, which was dealt its seventh consecutive defeat in Montreal as well.

02/23 21:57:14 ET