BRUINS AT CANADIENS
The Canadiens (10-1-1) are home to their longtime rivals, the Boston Bruins (6-5-0 heading into Monday’s game against Buffalo) on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m., RSE, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). Here are five things you should know about the matchup, writes Pat Hickey
1. Busy schedules
The Canadiens play four games over the next six nights and they face four quality teams — the Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. The Bruins have a similarly crowded schedule and will be in a back-to-back situation after playing the Sabres at home. The Bruins have struggled at home, but are 5-2-0 on the road.
2. Need for discipline
The Canadiens have given up six power-play goals in 10 opportunities in the past two games and the PK ranks 21st in the NHL with an 80 per cent success rate. Coach Michel Therrien said it’s important to stay out of the penalty box. The Canadiens have faced 50 power-play opportunities. Only Calgary (58) and St. Louis (52) have been short-handed more often.
3. Power-play drought
The Canadiens haven’t drawn a lot of power plays. They have had the man advantage 38 times, which puts them in the middle of the pack. They scored a powerplay goal in seven of their first nine games, but are 0-for-7 over the past three games and they haven’t had a decent scoring chance during that drought.
4. New face in goal
Carey Price, who is undefeated in seven starts this season will be in goal for the Canadiens, but there may be a new face between the pipes for Boston. Coach Claude Julien said he doesn’t want to ride his No. 1 guy and Tuukka Rask played Monday. Speculation is that Zane McIntyre will face Montreal for the first time. That’s probably a good gamble because Rask has a 5-15-3 record against the Canadiens.
5. Carr back in the lineup
Artturi Lehkonen is on the injured reserve list with an upperbody injury and that means Daniel Carr will make his first appearance since Oct. 15. Carr will play on the fourth line with Torrey Mitchell and Brian Flynn. Phillip Danault gets a chance to play a top-six role as he lines up with Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov.