Jonathan Toews and Ryan Garbutt scored in the first period as the Chicago Blackhawks stretched their winning run to nine games with a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, moving Joel Quenneville into sole possession of second place all-time in coaching victories.

It was Quenneville's 783rd win, one more than Al Arbour, although still well behind leader Scotty Bowman's 1,244.

The Blackhawks (29-13-4), who have not lost since Dec. 27 against Carolina, will try to make it 10 straight Friday night in Toronto.

Paul Byron scored for Montreal (23-18-3), now 5-14 since Dec. 1 despite a spirited effort against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Shots were 40-33 in favour of the Canadiens, with strong goaltending from both Chicago's Corey Crawford and Montreal's Mike Condon. Crawford, from nearby Chateauguay, Que., has not lost in regulation time in six career meetings with the Canadiens (4-0-2).

His biggest test came in the second period when he made four saves in rapid succession in one hectic sequence.