Maple Leafs at Canadiens
THE STORY: The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to snap a six-game losing streak that cost coach Ron Wilson his job when they visit the Montreal Canadiens in a clash of Original Six teams on Saturday. A once-promising season has disappeared as Toronto has slipped to 12th in the Eastern Conference, five points behind the eighth-place Winnipeg Jets. This is the fifth of six meetings between the Northeast Division rivals this season, with the Habs winning the last two contests in Toronto.
TV: 7 p.m. ET. CBC, RDS, NHLN-US
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (29-28-7): On Dec. 1, shortly after Randy Carlyle was fired by the Anaheim Ducks, Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke tweeted: “Sad to hear about Randy Carlyle. But our coach isn’t going anywhere!” On Friday, Burke fired Wilson and hired Carlyle. The Leafs, who have just one win in their last 11 games, have not been to the postseason since 2003-04. Wilson, hired in 2008, posted a 130-135-45 record with Toronto. Carlyle had a record of 7-13-4 to start this season with the Ducks before being fired in November. Carlyle and Burke worked together as coach and GM during the Ducks’ Stanley Cup winning season in 2007.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (25-30-10): Montreal has the dubious distinction of being dead last in the East. Despite this, the Habs refuse to be a punching bag for other NHL teams. Montreal collected two fighting majors, an instigator penalty and four roughing penalties during Thursday’s 5-4 shootout win over the visiting Minnesota Wild. “Everybody is taking a little more of a physical approach. I like it,” said coach Randy Cunneyworth, who has been preaching team toughness. “It’s about sticking together.”
OVERTIME:
1. Joffrey Lupul has a goal and an assist in consecutive games for the Maple Leafs.
2. David Desharnais has three goals and three assists during a three-game point streak for the Habs.
3. Montreal All-Star goalie Carey Price has given up three or more goals in seven of his last eight outings.