Canadiens at Coyotes
The Montreal Canadiens are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, and they've shown no sign of changing their fortunes with their recent play. Montreal looks to end a pair of losing streaks and keep its slim postseason hopes alive when it continues its four-game road trip Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.
The Canadiens, who are 12 points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, have dropped three straight overall and four in a row on the road after beginning their trek with a 2-0 loss at Colorado on Wednesday. Arizona is riding a four-game point streak (3-0-1) and looks to post a season high-tying third straight victory after edging host San Jose 2-1 on Tuesday. Alex Goligoski celebrated his 700th NHL appearance by snapping a 1-1 tie midway through the second period, giving the defenseman a goal in three straight contests and seven points during his five-game streak. The Coyotes reside in the NHL basement with 40 points but are only four behind Buffalo.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), FS Arizona
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (22-27-7): Phillip Danault accompanied the team on the road trip but was kept out of the lineup again Wednesday as he continues to recover from a concussion. The 24-year-old center, who has not played since Jan. 13, has recorded seven goals and 16 assists in 43 contests this season. Captain Max Pacioretty has scored only 16 goals in 55 contests after recording at least 30 in each of his previous four campaigns and is mired in a seven-game drought.
ABOUT THE COYOTES (15-32-10): Arizona likely will be without the services of Scott Wedgewood, who was placed on the league's concussion protocol after being injured early in the third period at San Jose. The 25-year-old backup goaltender was credited with the victory and is 5-9-4 with one shutout and a 3.45 goals-against average in 20 games during his first season in the desert after making four appearances with New Jersey in 2015-16. Defenseman Kevin Connauton has scored four of his five goals on the season over his last seven contests, matching the total from his first 104 games with the Coyotes.
OVERTIME
1. The Coyotes have earned at least one point in 11 of 16 games (6-5-5) since the beginning of January.
2. Montreal G Carey Price will get the start Thursday after being rested against Colorado.
3. Arizona RW Richard Panik was a healthy scratch Tuesday after recording only four assists in his first 13 games since being acquired from Chicago.