Canadiens 4 - 1 Maple Leafs
Final
  for this game

Habs hope to wrap up sixth seed against Maple Leafs

Apr 9, 2011 - 3:21 PM (Sports Network) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to lock themselves into the East's sixth seed tonight, when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre in the final regular-season game for both clubs.

Unlike the rival Maple Leafs, the Canadiens are headed to the postseason this year, but they still have the sixth seed in the conference to fight for tonight.

The Habs are tied with Buffalo for the sixth spot in the East and the Sabres are also playing their last game of the regular season tonight in Columbus. Montreal holds the tiebreaker over the Sabres with more non-shootout victories.

Montreal had won two in a row before losing Thursday's overtime decision in Ottawa. The setback dropped the Canadiens to 19-19-2 as the visiting club this year.

The Habs were dealt a 3-2 loss by the Senators after Filip Kuba scored the OT game-winner just 1:16 into the extra session.

Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri scored for the Canadiens, while Alex Auld started in place of Carey Price and made 29 saves in the losing effort.

Price is 2-2-0 with a superb 1.33 goals-against average in four games against Toronto this season and is expected to get the start tonight. He has already set a club record by appearing in 71 games this season.

Montreal centerman Jeff Halpern has missed the last three games with a lower body injury and he is questionable for tonight's tilt.

The Maple Leafs have won three out of five against the Canadiens this season and have taken five of seven and six of the last nine meetings overall. Montreal has also dropped three straight at Air Canada Centre.

"They're a dangerous opponent anytime you play them," Habs coach Jacques Martin told his team's website about the Maple Leafs. "There's a rivalry there and they're a team that's been improving. They're playing with pride and some of the young guys are playing for jobs next year."

Toronto has lost its last two games after a three-game winning streak and the Maple Leafs last played on Wednesday, when they dropped a 4-2 decision in New Jersey. Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias each had a goal and an assist to help the Devils claim the win at Prudential Center.

Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel each scored for the Maple Leafs, while James Reimer stopped 18-of-21 shots in the loss. Jean-Sebastien Giguere played the third period and stopped all 11 shots he faced.

Toronto has an 18-14-8 record as the host this season.






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