Canadiens at Capitals
THE STORY: The Montreal Canadiens have scored just one goal in the last two games and it is no comfort to be visiting the equally struggling Washington Capitals on Friday. The Caps have shut out Montreal the last three times the teams have met – twice this season. Both need something to go right. The Canadiens are 1-3-1 since a four-game win streak. Washington is 1-5-1, but is still within four points of the Southeast Division lead.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; RDS (Montreal), TSN, NHL Network-US, CSN (Washington).
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (24-27-10): Montreal appeared as though it was climbing back into the race, but has allowed 17 goals and scored 10 in the last five games. The Canadiens are in a three way tie for last place in the Eastern Conference. Goaltender Carey Price has started the last nine games and has given his team a chance to win all of them, but Montreal has lost the recipe for victories. The Canadiens lead the league in penalty killing, but need to get hot on the power play if they are to make a run. Center Tomas Plekanec missed the last game with the flu and is still questionable.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (29-26-5): Alex Ovechkin missed the 5-2 loss at Ottawa on Wednesday with a lower-body injury and his status is uncertain. With their second-biggest offensive weapon, Nicklas Backstrom, out indefinitely with a concussion, others will have to step up if the Caps are to break out of their funk. Alexander Semin has 11 points in his last 10 games and went over the 200-assist mark in his career. Goaltender Tomas Vokoun has been pulled from his last two starts, allowing six goals on 18 shots. Veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik was a healthy scratch in Ottawa, fueling trade rumors.
OVERTIME:
1. Washington is 19-8-2 on home ice, while Montreal is better on the road (13-13-2) than at home.
2. Montreal has been outshot in eight straight games.
3. The Capitals are 2 for 21 on the power play the last six games.