Final
Canadiens-Hurricanes Preview
Dec 5, 2015 - 2:09 AM Replacing the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner with an undrafted rookie wasn't exactly an ideal situation for the Montreal Canadiens when they lost Carey Price on two occasions.The first-place Canadiens, though, have had Mike Condon in net for more games than Price - and his numbers aren't all that different.
It's part of the reason Montreal has been able to persevere through multiple injuries, and it heads on the road Saturday night looking to win a sixth straight meeting with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Price followed his stellar 2014-15 campaign by going 10-2-0 with a 2.06 goals-against average in 12 starts before he suffered a lower-body injury Nov. 25 that is expected to keep him out six weeks. He had missed nine games at the beginning of last month with what is believed to be the same injury.
The 25-year-old Condon has filled in admirably, going 9-3-3 with a 2.17 GAA in 15 starts and the one relief appearance when Price suffered his most recent setback. He's started all four games since Price last went down, with the Canadiens going 2-1-1.
The lone regulation loss came Thursday, 3-2 to Washington.
Montreal (19-5-3) also has being dealing with the loss of Brendan Gallagher, who hasn't played since Nov. 22 and will be out at least another five weeks with two broken fingers on his left hand.
Gallagher has nine goals and 10 assists.
"The way we've played through adversity has been exceptional," defenseman P.K. Subban said. "We still have a long ways to go, there's still a lot of hockey to be played and we've got some important games coming up. We're going to need guys to keep elevating and step up."
Lars Eller has done just that, posting a goal and three assists in five games since Gallagher went down. Eller scored his first goal since Nov. 16 on Thursday and has taken on other responsibilities of late.
"Lars has played some phenomenal hockey," coach Michel Therrien said. "He's got a role that's really important for us. He's killing penalties, (Thursday) we put him on the power play, he creates chances for (Alex Galchenyuk) - he's playing really well. I was glad that he got rewarded."
The Canadiens have outscored Carolina 18-3 while winning the last five meetings and are 8-0-1 in the series since 2013. Max Pacioretty has seven goals and five assists in his last seven matchups.
Carolina (8-13-4) hasn't been able to slow anyone during its three-game skid, during which it has been outscored 13-5. It trailed by three goals before Brad Malone scored in the second period of Thursday's 5-1 loss to New Jersey.
The Hurricanes are 0 for 13 on the power play over their last five, with opponents scoring six times with the man advantage in that stretch.
"We know where we're at, and we know that to get ourselves back into the mix we have to win games," said Eric Staal, who doesn't have a goal in his last 13. "We've got to get more assertive, aggressive and competitive. That's the only way you're going to get out of a funk like that - come to work, work hard and compete."
It's unclear who will be in net with the Hurricanes also hosting Arizona on Sunday. Eddie Lack struggled Thursday, and Cam Ward has allowed seven goals on 36 shots while dropping his last two outings.
- MONTREAL: 2
CAROLINA: 3
Final
Dec 5 9:51 PM - MONTREAL: 2
CAROLINA: 3
End of Regulation
Dec 5 9:51 PM - End of 3rd Period.
Dec 5 9:51 PM - Power play - Goal scored by Jeff Skinner assisted by Brett Pesce and John-Michael Liles
Canadiens 2, Hurricanes 3 3rd - 7:32Dec 5 9:37 PM - MONTREAL: 2
CAROLINA: 2
End of 2nd
Dec 5 8:46 PM - End of 2nd Period.
Dec 5 8:46 PM - Goal scored by Joakim Nordstrom assisted by Andrej Nestrasil and Ron Hainsey
Canadiens 2, Hurricanes 2 2nd - 6:45Dec 5 8:35 PM - Goal scored by Sven Andrighetto assisted by Jeff Petry and Alex Galchenyuk
Canadiens 2, Hurricanes 1 2nd - 8:41Dec 5 8:31 PM - MONTREAL: 1
CAROLINA: 1
End of 1st
Dec 5 7:51 PM - End of 1st Period.
Dec 5 7:51 PM - Goal scored by Jeff Skinner assisted by Jordan Staal and Andrej Nestrasil
Canadiens 1, Hurricanes 1 1st - 6:45Dec 5 7:38 PM - Goal scored by Daniel Carr assisted by Christian Thomas and Brian Flynn
Canadiens 1, Hurricanes 0 1st - 17:16Dec 5 7:20 PM - MONTREAL: 0
CAROLINA: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Dec 5 7:15 PM - Tomas Plekanec won faceoff against Eric Staal in neutral zone
Dec 5 7:15 PM
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