Canucks at Canadiens
After ending their five-game slide last time out, the Montreal Canadiens hope to begin a winning streak when they continue their five-game homestand Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks. Montreal ended December - and its 2-5-0 road trip - with four straight losses and dropped the opener of its string at Bell Centre before edging league-leading Tampa Bay 2-1 in a shootout on Thursday.
Despite the victory, the Canadiens have produced fewer than two goals in each of their last six contests and have three forwards with plus/minus ratings of minus-13 or worse. Captain Max Pacioretty may be heating up, however, as he has recorded a goal and an assist over his last two games to pull even with Alex Galchenyuk for the team lead with 22 points. Vancouver began its seven-game road trip Saturday with its third straight loss, a 3-2 defeat at Toronto in a shootout. Rookie Brock Boeser scored his team-leading 22nd goal as the Canucks squandered a 2-0 lead in the third period and fell to 0-2-2 on the road since winning at Nashville on Nov 30.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, RDS
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (16-19-6): Chris Tanev left after being hit in the mouth by a shot less than four minutes into Saturday's contest and did not return. The 28-year-old defenseman was playing in just his second game since missing time with a groin injury and also has been sidelined by a thumb ailment this season. Vancouver is looking to avenge a 7-5 home loss on Dec. 19 in which Thomas Vanek registered his 10th career hat trick and added an assist.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (17-20-4): Victor Mete is expected to rejoin the club on Friday after being given time off following Team Canada's run to the gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship. The 19-year-old rookie defenseman appeared in 27 games for Montreal before representing his country in the tournament, recording four assists and a plus-5 rating. Carey Price, who made 44 saves against the Lightning, did not participate in Saturday's practice due to the flu and is questionable to face the Canucks.
OVERTIME
1. Pacioretty's goal on Thursday was his first since Nov. 30, ending a 13-game drought.
2. Vancouver has lost seven of eight both overall (1-5-2) and on the road (1-4-3).
3. Galchenyuk is two goals shy of 100 for his career.