Capitals at Canadiens
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals would love to jump from their current eighth-place position to third in the Eastern Conference. That will be their goal when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. The Capitals are currently second in the Southeast Division, but are in a dogfight with the Florida Panthers, who sit a single point above them and visit the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The division winner is guaranteed one of the top three playoff spots. The Canadiens, on the other hand, are struggling to remain relevant in the East. Currently in 12th, the Habs trail the Capitals by eight points. This is the first of four meetings between the two teams this season.
TV: 7:30 p.m., ET, RDS (HD), TSN, CSN-MA+
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (24-18-2): Washington, 7-3-0 in its last 10 games, is coming off a 3-0 home loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. The loss ended a three-game winning streak and a seven-game home winning streak. Tomas Vokoun made 25 saves to fall to 19-11-0 on the season. Washington only managed 17 shots on goal to match a season low. Prior to the loss, the Caps notched one-goal victories over two division foes – 2-1 over Carolina and 4-3 over Tampa Bay. Washington, which is just 7-12-1 away from home this season, begins a three-game road trip in Montreal.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (17-20-8): Montreal is 4-5-1 in its last 10 games, but is riding high after a 4-1 home win over the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers on Sunday. Max Pacioretty collected two goals and an assist while David Desharnais had a goal and two assists. Erik Cole was credited with three assists and Peter Budaj made 28 saves to improve to 2-4-0. Goalie Carey Price was given the night off after starting nine straight and 18 of the last 19 contests. He is 15-16-8 on the season with two shutouts. Montreal is 8-8-7 at home this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Seven of Cole’s 17 goals this season have come on the power play.
2. Montreal’s Travis Moen and Tomas Plekanec, both injured Sunday against the Rangers, are expected to play Wednesday.
3. The Capitals have been held to fewer than 30 shots on goal in 15 straight games.