Canadiens at Kings
THE STORY: With a losing streak sitting at four games, the Montreal Canadiens are searching for any advantage they can get to help reverse the skid. The Los Angeles Kings unwittingly provided the Canadiens with some good fortune when they absorbed a pair of costly injuries in advance of their home game against Montreal on Saturday night. Kings leading goal scorer Mike Richards will be sidelined for at least a week and defenseman Willie Mitchell is expected to miss multiple games after both players were hurt in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Richards, who was acquired from Philadelphia in the offseason, was finally giving the Kings the offensive support they expected, pumping in nine goals in 10 games before suffering a possible concussion. Mitchell has a lower-body injury. The Canadiens have been a major nemesis for Los Angeles, which has lost six consecutive meetings between the teams.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBC, RDS
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (10-11-5): Montreal will again be without leading goal scorer Max Pacioretty, who will serve the final game of a three-game suspension. However, the biggest issue for the Canadiens is their defense. Montreal has surrendered at least three goals in five consecutive games. G Carey Price has been pierced for 13 goals in his last four starts, although he has won both career starts vs. Los Angeles. David Desharnais had a goal and two assists Thursday vs. San Jose.
ABOUT THE KINGS (13-8-4): With Richards going on injured reserve, Dustin Penner was activated and will get another chance to resurrect his flagging career. Penner, who missed the past nine games with a hand injury, has yet to score this season and has only two goals in 33 games for the Kings since he was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers last season. Backup netminder Jonathan Bernier will receive only his fifth start of the season. He’s won his past two starts.
OVERTIME:
1. Los Angeles has not beaten the Canadiens since March 2003 and has lost eight of the last nine meetings.
2. Montreal’s power play remains in a slumber, failing to convert on 23 chances in the last five games.
3. Canadiens D Andrei Markov has rejoined the team but is not expected to dress for Saturday's game.