Canadiens at Senators
The league-mandated three days off around Christmas did no favors for either the Montreal Canadiens or Ottawa Senators, who have yet to win since returning from the break. The Canadiens are mired in an eight-game losing streak -- matching their season high -- while the Senators have dropped six straight entering Saturday's matchup in Ottawa.
Montreal is nine points out of a playoff spot after suffering a 4-2 setback to visiting Edmonton on Thursday but 17 of its 27 losses have come by one goal, including six during the current 0-7-1 skid. “I thought we’ve been playing some pretty good hockey and just not getting the result,” goaltender Carey Price said. "That’s part of the process. You got to constantly evolve and try to find ways to be successful.” The teams have split two meetings this season, but Montreal has won four of the past five and 10 of 13 against the Senators, who tumbled to their season-worst sixth straight defeat (0-4-2) with a 3-2 shootout loss at Detroit on Friday. Ottawa will hope familiar surroundings can reverse its fortunes as it kicks off a five-game homestand against the Canadiens.
TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: CBC, Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360, TVAS, CITY
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (18-20-7): Forward Brendan Gallagher returned to the lineup in Thursday's 4-2 loss to Edmonton after missing four games due to a concussion, but he had a setback and was experiencing headaches at home. The team's second-leading goal scorer with 15, Gallagher did not practice Friday and his status is unclear. "He’s seeing the doctor," coach Claude Julien said. "So if it’s a virus and it’s not concussion, then it depends on how he feels tomorrow. If it’s concussion-related, then there’s no doubt he’s out."
ABOUT THE SENATORS (16-22-5): Like his team, Brady Tkachuk entered Friday's matchup with nothing to show since the holiday break, failing to dent the scoresheet in five games before registering his 14th goal against Detroit. Tkachuk scored one goal and set up another in a 3-2 loss at Montreal on Dec. 11 and notched the game-winning tally in a 2-1 victory over the Canadiens on Nov. 20. Craig Anderson turned aside 35 shots to beat Montreal in November but has allowed 18 goals during a four-start skid (0-3-1).
OVERTIME
1. Price is 25-9-6 with a 2.30 goals-against average and three shutouts versus Ottawa.
2. Senators D Mark Borowiecki missed Friday's game to the flu.
3. Canadiens D Ben Chiarot (lower body) will sit out his second straight game Saturday.