• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Canadiens begin three-game road trip against Flyers

Jan 11, 2007 - 5:55 PM Montreal (24-14-5) at Philadelphia (11-28-4) 7:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens hope to become the latest team to get well against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The slumping Canadiens aim to open their three-game road trip on a winning note Thursday when they visit the Flyers.

Despite its 4-2 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday, Montreal has dropped five of its last seven games and went 1-2-0 on its recent three-game homestand.

Michael Ryder scored two goals and added an assist to pace the Canadiens on Tuesday while Tomas Plekanec and Guillaume Latendresse scored the other Montreal goals.

But the Canadiens figure to revive themselves against the Flyers, whose 26 points are by far the lowest in the NHL.

Philadelphia has dropped four straight contests, including a 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Kyle Calder and Brian Sutherby scored for Philadelphia, which only went 1-for-6 on the power play.

The Flyers expect to have star center Peter Forsberg back on the ice for the contest.

A five-time All-Star center, Forsberg has missed the last four games with a groin injury and has struggled with his surgically repaired right ankle throughout the campaign.

"Everything feels fine," Forsberg said. "I'll play tomorrow and hopefully I will be in the lineup for awhile. I've been skating by myself here for two days and getting better. Today was a full practice, and I felt good. I'll be playing tomorrow."

Forsberg has seven goals and 16 assists in 27 games this season. He has missed a total of 16 games due to an assortment of minor injuries. The 33-year-old hopes the recent adjustments made to his skate will help support his balky ankle.

"We're (moving) forward in the process of working with it," he said. "I'm actually a little positive today that it's going to be better and better. ... It's something we just have got to keep on working on."