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Ovechkin looks to help Capitals bounce back vs. Canadiens

Dec 27, 2006 - 3:51 PM Montreal (21-9-5) at Washington (16-13-7) 7:30 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- After a dismal first period in their last game, the Washington Capitals showed signs of life in the final two periods.

Alex Ovechkin tries to help the Capitals build on that momentum Wednesday as they attempt to win for the second time in five contests against the Montreal Canadiens.

Washington yielded six goals in the first 11 minutes of Tuesday's 6-3 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres. However, the Capitals scored three times in the final 21:30, highlighted by Ovechkin's 25th tally.

Last season's Calder Trophy winner, Ovechkin has nine goals and 12 assists in 11 December games for Washington.

Montreal won five consecutive contests before Saturday's 4-2 defeat to the Boston Bruins. Michael Ryder scored his 10th goal - shorthanded - and Mike Komisarek added his fourth for the Canadiens.

Goaltender Cristobal Huet has posted a 14-4-3 mark with a 2.36 goals-against average for Montreal, which has yielded 97 goals, second behind the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference (89).