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Streaking Habs host Predators in Montreal

Nov 18, 2010 - 4:25 PM (Sports Network) - The red-hot Montreal Canadiens will take aim at a fifth consecutive victory when they welcome the Nashville Predators for tonight's clash at the Bell Centre.

The Canadiens have not just won four in a row, but they have also claimed those victories in impressive fashion, outscoring the opposition by a 15-3 score during the winning streak.

After destroying Carolina, 7-2, to open a four-game homestand on Saturday, the Habs followed up with Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Carey Price stopped all 41 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season, as Montreal dealt the Flyers their first regulation loss since Oct. 25.

"That's the game we wanted to play," said Price. "Our penalty kill is rolling right now, and that's been the key to our success. (The Flyers) have an impressive lineup with a lot of goal scorers, but our guys did a great job defensively tonight."

Brian Gionta registered a goal and two assists for the Canadiens, who are leading the Northeast Division with 25 points. Mike Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec also scored in the victory.

The Habs killed off all six of Philadelphia's opportunities with the man advantage on Tuesday and Montreal has surrendered just one power-play goal on 20 short-handed situations during its four-game winning streak.

Montreal forward Jeff Halpern is questionable for tonight's game after suffering a head injury on a hit by Philadelphia's Darroll Powe.

The Canadiens, who will close this residency Saturday against Toronto, are 6-3-1 on home ice this season.

Nashville will try to bounce back from a loss tonight after having a two-game win streak halted Tuesday in Toronto. After posting consecutive shootout wins, the Predators were dealt a 5-4 regulation loss by the Maple Leafs. Toronto scored four power-play goals in the second period and erased an early 3-1 deficit to defeat Nashville.

J-P Dumont, Jordin Tootoo and Martin Erat each scored in the first period for the Predators, who have dropped six of eight. Pekka Rinne made 28 saves in defeat.

"We just have to regroup and go from there," Dumont said. "In this league there is no time to sit back and watch them play."

Nashville has lost five of its last six games away from the Music City and is making the second stop on a four-game road trip tonight. The Predators are 4-5-0 overall as the guest this season.

The Predators posted a shutout win against Montreal last year in Nashville, but the Habs still have four wins in the last six meetings between the clubs. Nashville has also dropped five out of six all-time in Montreal.