Kings 6 - 0 Canadiens
Final
  for this game

Habs hope to extend winning streak against Kings

Dec 10, 2013 - 4:27 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The rolling Montreal Canadiens try to extend their season-best winning streak to six games when they welcome the Los Angeles Kings for a battle at the Bell Centre.

Montreal has recorded five straight wins and has earned at least a point in 10 straight games, posting a superb 9-0-1 record during that stretch. The Canadiens are on their first five-game winning streak since March 7-16 of last season, but Montreal hasn't won six in a row since March 6-16, 2010.

Historically speaking, Tuesday's matchup is a good one for the Habs, who have claimed seven straight and nine of their last 10 encounters with the Kings. Los Angeles also has lost five in a row and 12 of its past 13 games in Montreal.

The Canadiens picked up their most recent victory in Saturday's home test against the lowly Buffalo Sabres. Brandon Prust and Tomas Plekanec both tallied a goal and an assist to help Montreal notch a 3-2 regulation win over the Sabres.

Alex Galchenyuk also lit the lamp and Travis Moen tallied two assists for Montreal. Carey Price turned aside 23 shots for the win.

Despite his club improving to 11-1-2 in its last 14 games, head coach Michel Therrien was less than pleased with his club's start against the Sabres, who are dead last in the NHL standings.

"There was no intensity in the first and that is why I started the fourth line in the second and they responded 19 seconds later. They were physical, they were intense and showed some leadership," said Therrien.

Saturday's win was the sixth straight on home ice for Montreal, which is completing a three-game stay at the Bell Centre on Tuesday. The Habs boast a 11-5-2 record as the home club in 2013-14.

Although the Kings haven't had much success against the Canadiens over the years, they are entering tonight's tilt on a three-game winning streak. Another win for L.A. tonight would match a four-game run from Nov. 14-19 as the club's longest winning stretch of the season.

Martin Jones made his second NHL start and stopped 16 shots to notch his first career shutout in Saturday's 3-0 home win over the New York Islanders. Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Tyler Toffoli each scored once for the Kings.

"It's good. I mean anytime you win it's a good feeling," Jones said. "It wasn't a ton of work early, but they had some zone time so I was able to get in the game. I thought we got better as the game went on."

The Kings expect to return to Ben Scrivens as the starting goaltender on Tuesday. The former Toronto Maple Leafs netminder is 1-2-0 with a 2.75 goals against average in four career appearances against the Canadiens. Price, meanwhile, is 3-0 with a 1.67 GAA in three lifetime starts against L.A.

Los Angeles is kicking off a four-game road trip tonight and the trek will also take the team to Toronto, Ottawa and Chicago. The Kings have won five of their last six away games to improve their road record this season to 9-3-2.






Related News