PENGUINS AT CANADIENS

The Canadiens play the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday (7:30 p.m., SNE, SNO, SN1, SNP, RDS, TSN Radio 690), Here are five things to watch for, writes Pat Hickey:

1. Defence a must

The Canadiens have renewed their commitment to defence and they’ll have to be at their best against the Penguins. Pittsburgh is the NHL’s highest-scoring team, averaging 3.51 goals a game, and arrives on the heels on a no-holds-barred 8-7 overtime win over Washington Monday. The Canadiens are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit.

2. Encouraging signs

There were some encouraging signs in the loss to Detroit. Carey Price had his best game in weeks and, while the offence failed to score, the line of Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk and Alex Radulov had what Pacioretty described as “several Grade A chances.” Michel Therrien expects the line to get better as Galchenyuk gets into game shape after missing 18 games.

3. One-two punch

Two-time NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby leads the NHL in goals with 27 and his 50 points put him one point behind Edmonton’s Connor McDavid in the scoring race. Evgeni Malkin, who is also a twotime scoring leader, is one point behind Crosby in the scoring race. He registered his 11th career hat trick in the Washington game and has 23 goals and 49 points.

4. Goaltending a concern

The Penguins need the scoring because they rank 25th in team defence, allowing 3.02 goals a game. Matt Murray (2.53 goalsagainst average, .916 save percentage) has claimed the No. 1 spot. The Penguins are hoping to unload Marc-André Fleury and his contract, but there may not be a market for a guy with a 3.23 GAA and .904 save percentage.

5. Good news, bad news for McCarron

The good news for Michael McCarron is that he can fulfill a childhood dream by playing with his older brother John. The bad news is that they will be playing in St. John’s. The return of Galchenyuk created a logjam at centre and McCarron has been sent back to the AHL so he can get more ice time.