Canadiens at Rangers
THE STORY: Sean Avery is returning to the New York Rangers’ lineup - for better or worse. Fans certainly will be excited to have the agitator back with the team as “We want Avery” chants recently broke out at Madison Square Garden. They’ll get their wish when Avery takes the ice with the host Blueshirts in Saturday night’s game against the streaking Montreal Canadiens in a battle of Original Six rivals. Avery admittedly has an icy relationship with coach John Tortorella, even doubting that he’d ever play with the Rangers again when the team sent him to the American Hockey League on Oct. 19. Now he’s back. “I'm excited. I feel good, for sure,” the controversial nine-year vetern said. “We want to string some wins together, that's what it's all about. We've had a couple good games going into Saturday."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG+, CBC, NHLN.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (5-5-2): After dropping seven of eight to open the season for their worst start in 70 years, the well-rested Canadiens surged to their fourth straight win Friday. Carey Price made 33 saves as Montreal overcame a six-day layoff to post a 2-1 triumph over the Ottawa Senators. The 24-year-old Price is largely responsible for the turnaround, stopping 109 of 114 shots in the four wins.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (5-3-3): The Rangers will be looking to win three in a row for the first time this season. Avery, who hasn’t appeared in an NHL game since April, had three goals and 24 assists in 76 contests last year. He likely won’t be counted on to do much scoring. That responsibility will fall on Marian Gaborik, who has a team-high five goals to go with four assists.
OVERTIME:
1. Avery got the call because right wing Wojtek Wolski suffered a groin injury on Thursday.
2. The Canadiens current run started when assistant Perry Pearn was dismissed prior to a 5-1 thrashing of the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 26.