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Rested Devils play host to Habs

Dec 2, 2010 - 4:08 PM (Sports Network) - The well-rested New Jersey Devils will try to win for the fourth time in five games when they host the Montreal Canadiens tonight at the Prudential Center.

The Devils are ranked 14th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, but New Jersey finished November off on a strong note, winning three of four to end the month after losing its previous three games.

One of New Jersey's eight victories this season came against the Canadiens and, given the recent series history, the Devils should feel confident heading into tonight's matchup.

The Devils notched a 3-0 victory in Montreal on Oct. 21 as Martin Brodeur recorded the 112th shutout of his career. New Jersey has won two straight, eight of nine and 17 of its last 21 games against the Habs and Montreal is 2-12 with a tie in its last 15 trips to the Garden State.

New Jersey hasn't played since defeating the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon. Travis Zajac scored the game-winner in the fourth round of the shootout to lift the Devils to the 2-1 victory over their Atlantic Division rivals.

Adam Mair tallied in regulation for the Devils, who recovered from dropping a 2-0 decision on Friday to the New York Islanders. Johan Hedberg posted his best performance of the season, stopping 40-of-41 shots.

"I think it's a team thing," Hedberg said. "We started something good a few games ago. It's 'put the goaltender in a different position.' We're way more sound. That's the way we've got to play."

Hedberg is expected to get his fifth straight start tonight as Brodeur continues to nurse a bruised right elbow. However, Brodeur could be ready to return for Saturday's game in Philadelphia.

The Devils are expected to get captain Jamie Langenbrunner back tonight after the veteran forward missed the last eight games with a neck injury. Langenbrunner, who has three goals and six assists in 16 games for New Jersey this season, practiced with the team on Tuesday and is expected to be a game- time decision Thursday night.

"We'll see how [Wednesday] feels after taking another step and getting banged a little bit," Langenbrunner told his team's official website. "We'll see how we feel [Wednesday] and go from there."

New Jersey has won its last four games on home ice after starting the season with an 0-5-2 record in Newark. Following tonight's test, the Devils will head out for a three-game road trip, beginning with Saturday's battle against the Flyers.

The Canadiens are coming off a rough loss Wednesday against the visiting Edmonton Oilers, who were down 3-1 after two periods before rallying and winning the game in overtime.

Dustin Penner netted the game-winning goal with 2:32 left in OT, leading the Oilers to the 4-3 decision. Penner forced a turnover in the neutral zone and beat Montreal's Carey Price on the breakaway, slipping a backhander between the goaltender's pads.

Roman Hamrlik and Mathieu Darche both registered a goal and an assist for the Northeast Division-leading Canadiens. Price stopped 28 shots.

"It's not good to lose when you're up 3-1 in the third," Habs forward Mike Cammalleri said.

The Canadiens have a 6-4-0 record as the visiting team this year, but have dropped their last two road tests.