Maple Leafs at Canadiens
THE STORY: James Reimer used the season opener to show fans that last season's sensational second-half audition was no fluke. He'll try to duplicate his success as he and the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the rival Montreal Canadiens in the latest chapter of their historic tete-a-tete. Reimer stopped 32 shots for his fourth career shutout as Toronto blanked Montreal 2-0 in the opener for both teams earlier this month at the Air Canada Centre. That win kickstarted a 4-0-1 homestand for the Maple Leafs, but they were brought back to Earth on Thursday after dropping a 6-2 decision to Boston in their first road game of the year. Montreal is struggling to start the year but has to feel good about their chances Saturday with Carey Price in goal. He's 3-1-0 with a 0.76 goals-against average in his last four games against Toronto.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBC, RDS
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (4-1-1): A one-sided loss to the Bruins had few positives for the Maple Leafs, but it did hold some significance for a pair of young players. Nazem Kadri had an assist in his first game of the season as he looks to finally stick with Toronto for the long haul. Rookie defenseman Jake Gardiner also had a helper for his first career NHL point. Gardiner has played well enough to earn plenty of playing time, and looks like a fixture on the Toronto defense corps moving forward.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (1-4-1): Not even the return of forward Mike Cammalleri could reverse Montreal's fortunes last time out as they bowed out meekly in a 3-1 loss to the undermanned Pittsburgh Penguins. Brian Gionta's meaningless goal with 1:36 remaining was all the offense mustered by the Canadiens, who have just 13 goals through their first six games. That should change with a healthy Cammalleri, who missed four games with a leg laceration.
OVERTIME:
1. Toronto sniper Phil Kessel was held without a point against the Bruins, leaving him with 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in six games. He had five goals in six meetings with Montreal last season.
2. The Canadiens, who have had a top-seven power play in back-to-back seasons, rank just 26th so far this season with two goals in 25 man-advantage opportunities (eight per cent).
PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Maple Leafs 3. Expect a little revenge by Montreal, led by a strong offensive effort from Cammalleri. A power play as good as Montreal's can't be held down forever.