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Flames end road trip in Montreal

Jan 17, 2011 - 3:59 PM (Sports Network) - Looking to make a move in the Western Conference standings, the Calgary Flames hope to conclude a four-game road trip with a fourth straight victory over the Montreal Canadiens this evening at the Bell Centre.

The Flames sit 14th out of 15 teams in the conference, but are just seven points back of the eighth spot in the West. After beginning their road trip with a shootout loss in Carolina -- the club's fourth straight setback and second in a row past regulation -- they have recorded consecutive wins in Ottawa and Toronto.

Saturday's clash with the Maple Leafs also went into a shootout, with Olli Jokinen notching the deciding tally in the fourth round for a 2-1 victory. Former Maple Leaf Matt Stajan scored in regulation, just his third goal of the season, as the Flames improved to 4-1-1 in their past six on the road.

"One of the best feelings I've had -- relief, excitement," said Stajan, a former Maple Leaf sent over the Flames last year in the Dion Phaneuf deal. "It's been a tough year and to see that one go in and make a difference in the game feels real good, for sure."

Miikka Kiprusoff did not start Friday's victory in Ottawa, but returned to the net the following night and made 32 saves. However, he did allow the game- tying goal with just 13 seconds left in regulation.

Kiprusoff has been in net for each game of the Calgary's current three-game win streak over Montreal, notching a 25-save shutout in the previous meeting on Nov. 10 of last season. He is 6-3-0 with a 2.55 goals-against average lifetime versus the Canadiens.

The Flames have won five of the last eight in this series and snapped a four- game series road losing streak with last year's 1-0 victory in Montreal.

The Canadiens have been playing well at home as of late, going 4-1-1 in their last six at the Bell Centre and 9-2-2 in the past 13. They held off a late rally on Saturday to down the New York Rangers, 3-2.

Carey Price made 20 of his 31 saves in that final period, earning his 22nd victory of the season.

"They had a strong third, they came to work but our guys did the job of holding them off. We sat back a little bit, but got the job done," said Price, who has never faced the Flames.

Roman Hamrlik, Tomas Plekanec, and Andrei Kostitsyn scored for Montreal, which has won four of its past five overall and is two points back of Boston for first place in the Northeast Division. James Wisniewski notched a pair of assists.

Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr missed his second straight game with a leg injury and is questionable for tonight.