Canadiens at Sharks
The Montreal Canadiens have dropped four in a row following a season-opening win at Buffalo and now open a three-game California road trip against an opponent that has been one of their biggest nemesis. The reigning Atlantic Division champions look to end their skid on Tuesday when they visit the San Jose Sharks, which has won four in a row between the teams.
The Canadiens are coming off a 4-3 overtime win versus Original Six rival Toronto, which ended a 14-game winless drought against Montreal on Saturday night. The Canadiens did score three goals in regulation for the first time this season, prompting coach Claude Julien to observe: "We did enough tonight to deserve a win." Like Montreal, the Sharks are having their issues on offense and their lone win came against Buffalo as they wrap up a season-opening five-game homestand. San Jose has dominated the Canadiens, winning seven of the past eight matchups while not allowed more than two goals in any of the games.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, RDS, TSN2 (Montreal)
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (1-3-1): Carey Price often is touted as the best goaltender in the world, but he is sporting a 1-3-1 record and 3.45 goals-against average and pointed the finger at himself following the latest setback. "We scored three goals," Price noted. "I thought it might have been our best game of the year. ... Unfortunately, I didn't have my best game of the year. I think if I would have played better we'd be looking at this a different way." Jonathan Drouin scored his first goal for Montreal in Saturday's loss.
ABOUT THE SHARKS (1-3-0): Coach Peter DeBoer also felt his team felt its "best game" in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders, amassing 41 shots on goal. "I thought the special teams both looked good. We did a lot of good things 5-on-5," DeBoer said. "We're building our game. If you see frustration, it's because these guys expect to win every night." DeBoer continued to juggle his lines at Monday's practice, with Melker Karlsson elevated to the second line and Mikkel Boedker replacing Joonas Donskoi on the No. 3 unit.
OVERTIME
1. Price is 2-6-1 with a 2.96 goals-against average in nine starts versus San Jose.
2. San Jose has killed off all 12 penalties during its last three games.
3. Montreal and D Mark Streit reached a mutual agreement to terminate veteran blue-liner's contract.