Price’s sights set on Roy
Habs goalie chasing Plante on all-time list
MONTREAL Here are five things you should know about the Canadiens-Senators game Saturday at the Canadian Tire Centre.
1. The matchup
Going into the season, the expectations for these teams were low after they traded their captains and embarked on rebuilding programs. The Canadiens have confounded the pundits by posting a 4-1-1 record and they’re coming off a last-minute 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Montreal is tied for second in the Atlantic Division. The Senators are 3-2-1 and just a point out of a wild card spot.
2. Price eyeing a milestone
Carey Price is expected to get the start in goal and he’ll be looking for his 289th win. That would tie him with hall of famer Patrick Roy for second place on the Canadiens’ all-time list for wins, although Roy leads Price 2-0 in Stanley Cup wins as a Canadien. Price is 26 wins behind the all-time leader, Jacques Plante, who won 314 games in a nera when the season was only 70 games long.
3. Sore back sidelines Plekanec
Veteran Tomas Plekanec has landed on the injured-reserve list with a lowerback ailment. The injury opens a roster spot for Nicolas Deslauriers, who has been sidelined by a facial fracture.
4. Tatar on a roll
Tomas Tatar, who was acquired on the eve of training camp in the trade that sent Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights, has collected seven points over the past three games. He’s the Canadiens’ leading scorer, with three goals and eight points, while linemate Brendan Gallagher leads in goals with four.
5. The other guys
Sens rookie Brady Tkachuk had three goals and three assists in his first four games, but he’s out for a month with a leg injury. The Senators traded twotime Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, but they have two of the best young defencemen in the league in 21-year-old Thomas Chabot and 20-year-old Max Lajoie. Chabot and Chris Tierney share the team scoring lead with eight points each, while Lajoie has seven points, including a team-leading four goals.