Montreal Canadiens (29-26-6) at Philadelphia Flyers (30-25-3), 6 p.m.
Sports Network | February 12, 2010
(Sports Network) - Last time out, the Montreal Canadiens were able to end the league's longest winning streak in nearly 17 years. Tonight, the team will be looking to continue an impressive run of its own, as it tries to extend its nine-game road points streak against the Philadelphia Flyers in the opener of a home-and-home set from the Wachovia Center.
The Canadiens will be hitting the ice this evening for the first time since a 6-5 overtime win over the Capitals on Wednesday that ended Washington's 14- game winning streak, the longest in the NHL since Pittsburgh's NHL-record 17- game run from March 9-April 10, 1993.
It wasn't easy for Montreal, as it allowed Washington to score three times in the third period to force overtime. However, the Canadiens earned the extra point on Tomas Plekanec's second goal of the game with 7.5 ticks left in OT.
Sergei Kostitsyn assisted on the game-winning tally, his third helper of the game. Scott Gomez and Tom Pyatt both had a goal and an assist, with the 22- year Pyatt earning his first NHL points in his 20th career game. Glen Metropolit and Maxim Lapierre scored 12 seconds apart in the second period for the Canadiens, who have won four of their last five games.
Carey Price, making his first start since January 27, recorded 33 saves for just his third win in his last 12 decisions.
The Canadiens, playing for the first time since Bob Gainey unexpectedly resigned as the club's general manager on Monday, moved into sixth in the Eastern Conference with 64 points, one ahead of both the Flyers, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Montreal did endure a scary injury when defenseman Josh Gorges was struck in the face by a slap shot with 10.9 seconds left in the first period of Wednesday's win. He remained down on the ice for several moments before making his way to the dressing room with assistance, though he did not return to the game. However, Gorges said he expects to play tonight.
Tonight could also mark the Montreal debut of forward Dominic Moore, who was acquired in a trade from Florida on Thursday night for a 2011 second-round draft pick. The 29-year-old had eight goals and nine assists in 48 games this year with the Panthers.
The Canadiens have lost five of their last seven on the road, but are 8-0-1 in their last nine trips to Philadelphia, where they haven't lost in regulation since October 27, 2003. Montreal has won six straight overall in Philly, including a 3-1 victory on December 7, a game in which Price needed to make just 14 saves to win.
Both the Flyers and Canadiens close out their pre-Olmypic schedules in Montreal on Saturday.
The Flyers have lost three straight and 10 of their last 11 overall to the Habs, but have won four of their last six on the season and are coming off a home-and-home sweep of the New Jersey Devils. Philadelphia rallied from 2-0 deficits in both games to win consecutive 3-2 contests.
After Mike Richards' third-period power-play goal lifted the Flyers on Monday, Simon Gagne netted the game-winner in overtime on Wednesday night. It was Gagne's seventh goal of the season and first in 13 games.
"It's tough when you come in and play some games and you feel you get some scoring chances but at the end of the game you're still not scoring goals," said Gagne, a two-time 40-goal scorer. "The team needs some goals right now to win some hockey games and get better in the standings and you want to help."
Arron Asham and Jeff Carter also tallied for the Flyers, with Carter scoring for the second time in as many games. He leads Philadelphia with 24 goals and 49 points this year.
Michael Leighton made 21 saves to improve to 10-3-1 with a 2.21 goals-against average with the Flyers after making his fourth straight start in place of the injured Ray Emery. The Flyers announced on Thursday that Emery will be shut down for the next three weeks because of a left hip injury, meaning Leighton should continue to see the bulk of the work in net.
Philadelphia has won eight of its last 10 at home.
