CANADIENS AT PREDATORS
The Canadiens face the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday (8 p.m., Sportsnet East, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). Here are five things you should know about the game, writes Pat Hickey:
1. Homecoming for Weber
This should be an emotional night for defenceman Shea Weber, who will be returning to Nashville for the first time since he was traded for P.K. Subban on June 29. The Predators plan to recognize Weber’s 11 seasons in Nashville with a scoreboard tribute during the first period. He was the Predators’ captain from 2010 until he was traded.
2. No Subban
The other half of the trade, Subban, won’t be in the Nashville lineup. He was placed on the injured reserve list Sunday with an upper-body injury. Subban has already missed seven games and Predators’ general manager David Poile said the defenceman will be out another 2-3 weeks. Poile said he’s confident that whatever ails Subban — the speculation is a herniated disc — can be healed without surgery.
3. Price looks for turnaround
Carey Price will start in goal for the Canadiens and he finds himself in unfamiliar territory, riding a three-game winless streak (0-2-1). Price has given up 11 goals in those games and, for the first time this season, his goals-against average has crept over two goals a game at 2.07. He’s still among the top five in save percentage at .930.
4. Deal pending for Radulov?
The Canadiens gave Al Montoya a two-year extension Monday so they have a goaltender to expose in the upcoming Las Vegas expansion draft. The Canadiens are free to talk to Alexander Radulov but it might be in their best interest to let the Russian forward go to free agency so that he won’t be exposed in the draft.
5. Ribeiro a survivor
Montreal native Mike Ribeiro has had his ups and downs off the ice but he is marking his 16th season in the NHL. Ribeiro began his career with the Canadiens in the 1999-2000 season, has played 1,064 games with Montreal, Washington, Dallas, Phoenix and Nashville. He has four goals and 17 assists in 36 games this season while averaging 16 minutes a game.