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Coyotes-Canadiens Preview

Oct 25, 2010 - 2:39 AM By NOEY KUPCHAN STATS Writer

Phoenix (2-2-2) at Montreal (4-2-1), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Montreal Canadiens have won three of their last four games. Given their history against the Phoenix Coyotes, they appear likely to make it four of five.

The Canadiens seek to continue their dominance of the Coyotes when the teams face off Monday night at Bell Centre.

Montreal (4-2-1) is 5-1-0 with one tie in seven home meetings with Phoenix (2-2-2) since 1996, spanning both the entire history of the Bell Centre and the Coyotes' existence since relocating to the desert from Winnipeg. The Canadiens have outscored the Coyotes 28-17 in those meetings, which include a 4-1 victory the last time Phoenix visited Oct. 18, 2008, when Carey Price stopped 28 shots.

They have also won six straight against the Coyotes overall and are unbeaten in 11 meetings between these teams since a 4-2 loss in Arizona on Dec. 9, 1998.

Price, expected to be in goal seeking to improve his 3-0-0 record and 1.67 goals-against average versus Phoenix, is coming off his first shutout of the season. He made 19 saves in Saturday night's 3-0 victory at Ottawa, his fourth win of 2010-11.

"It was awesome - it's just secondary, though," Price said of the shutout. "We all wanted to come in and get the win, that's the biggest thing."

Andrei Kostitsyn scored his team-leading third and fourth goals of the season to back Price, continuing his resurgence after an injury-riddled 2009-10.

"He's got such a dynamic skill set and he's doing things right all over the ice," forward Michael Cammalleri told the Canadiens' official website of Kostitsyn. "It's paying off and that's nice to see. I think we all know what he's capable of and his level of focus is where it needs to be. He's been consistently good, he's playing at the top of his game and it's fun playing with him."

The Coyotes overcame a three-goal deficit Saturday night against Carolina, eventually losing 4-3 in overtime but salvaging a point in the standings. Coach Dave Tippett wasn't pleased with the route his club took to earn that point.

"The reality is if we play like that we're not gonna be successful," he said. "And it's as simple as that."

Phoenix rallied behind two third-period goals from Kyle Turris and one from Scottie Upshall, but clearly missed the presence of two key veterans.

"Without (Martin) Hanzal and (Shane) Doan in the lineup, our margin for error is very slim, and we continue to feed that margin of error," Tippett said.

Doan, the team's captain, won't be available Monday night as he finishes up a three-game suspension following an Oct. 17 blindside hit on Anaheim's Dan Sexton.

Hanzal was placed on injured reserve Oct. 19 with a lower body injury and is expected to miss 1-2 weeks.

Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 37 of 41 shots against the Hurricanes but fell to 2-1-2.

It was the second time already this season that Bryzgalov faced 40 shots or more. The Coyotes are allowing 36.3 shots on goal per game - third-most in the league.