Canadiens at Red Wings
The Montreal Canadiens began the season with 14 of their first 21 games at home and have taken full advantage with a dazzling 12-1-1 record at Bell Centre. The Canadiens will try to show they are the same team on the road when they start a difficult five-game trip with an Atlantic Division clash against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
“This trip comes at a good time,” Montreal coach Michel Therrien told reporters of the trek that includes three games in California and ends in St. Louis. “It’s a big challenge against good teams. I’m anxious to see how we play. We’re playing with confidence, which is important.” The Canadiens set sail after a 2-1 victory over red-hot Carolina on Wednesday, and Carey Price (9-3-1 versus Detroit) likely will be in net to face the Red Wings, who defeated New Jersey 5-4 in overtime on Friday for their second straight win. Defenseman Mike Green scored in the extra period, but the victory came at a cost for Detroit as goaltender Jimmy Howard suffered a lower-body injury and will be out at least a week. Petr Mrazek took over for Howard and is the likely starter against Montreal.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA (Montreal), FSN Detroit
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (15-4-2): Veteran defenseman Andrei Markov is on pace for one of his best offensive seasons as the 37-year-old has collected 11 assists in his last 10 games and is tied for second on the club with 17 points. Blue-liner Shea Weber and newcomer Alexander Radulov, who saw his seven-game point streak end last time out, are even with Markov in points - four behind Alex Galchenyuk (16 in his last 14 contests). Captain Max Pacioretty scored on Thursday and has picked it up a little with three goals in seven games after netting two in his first 14.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (10-10-1): Detroit’s five-goal performance matched its best of the season and was one shy of what the team totaled in its previous five contests as Frans Nielsen recorded two tallies and an assist. Captain Henrik Zetterberg registered a pair of assists to tie Gustav Nyquist for the team lead in points with 14 and Dylan Larkin scored his club-high sixth goal. Rookie forward Anthony Mantha notched a goal and an assist on Friday, pushing his total to four points over the last five games as he gets comfortable with a role in the lineup.
OVERTIME
1. Detroit LW Justin Abdelkader and D Jonathan Ericsson both are slated to play in the 500th game of their careers on Saturday.
2. Montreal LW Charles Hudon did not travel with the team to Detroit for precautionary reasons after being hit in the throat area by a puck at practice on Friday.
3. The teams split four meetings last season, but the Canadiens dominated the Red Wings 5-0 on Nov. 12.