Canadiens at Ducks
THE STORY: When Teemu Selanne chose to return to the Anaheim Ducks for another season rather than retire, he couldn't have imagined things would go this badly. Selanne's Ducks have dropped seven consecutive games and 16 of their last 18 as they entertain the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. The entire franchise continues to look for answers as frustration reaches a fever pitch. Another loss will tie the franchise record set in 1996 and equaled in 2005. They'll host a Canadiens team playing the first of three games without forward Max Pacioretty, who is serving a suspension for a hit on Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang on Saturday. Montreal seems to enjoy the West Coast air, as it owns a 21-7-1 record against Pacific Division opponents since late in the 2003-04 season. This is the Canadiens' first visit to Anaheim since March 7, 2010.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, RDS, Prime Ticket
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (10-10-4): Montreal fans are delighted with word that forward prospect Louis Leblanc has been called up to join the club on its West Coast trip. Leblanc is expected to make his NHL debut against the Ducks in place of the suspended Pacioretty. Montreal's first-round pick in the 2009 draft, the 20-year-old Leblanc has four goals and six assists in 14 games with the club's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton, Ont.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (6-13-4): Selanne summed up the Ducks' struggles following Sunday's 5-2 loss to Toronto: "It seems to me that nothing works. It’s just unbelievable. I don’t know what to say. Night after night, we make the same mistakes. We’re trying to stay positive. I think everybody hates this situation. There’s been enough talking. There’s no mental toughness right now." Selanne already has 36 penalty minutes after finishing with just 49 in 73 games a season ago.
OVERTIME:
1. Selanne has just seven goals in 22 career games against Montreal. That equals the fewest Selanne has scored against any NHL team; he also has seven against the Buffalo Sabres.
2. Anaheim has won four of the last five meetings between the clubs, including their last encounter Jan. 22. Each of the last two games has been decided by a shootout.
3. Ducks F Saku Koivu will play his third career game against the Canadiens, with whom he spent his first 13 NHL seasons. He has one assist in his previous two meetings.