Canadiens 1 - 4 Panthers
Final
  for this game

Panthers aim to get on track against Canadiens

Dec 29, 2013 - 3:59 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Things have started to go south for the Florida Panthers following their best stretch of hockey this season.

The Panthers hope to avoid a fourth loss in a row on Sunday evening as they play host to the Montreal Canadiens.

Florida's current skid follows a season-high five-game winning streak that included a 2-1 win at Montreal on Dec. 15. The Panthers had their run stopped with a setback in Winnipeg on Dec. 20 and have since opened a five-game homestand with losses to Tampa Bay and Detroit.

The Panthers bested the Red Wings in the first two meetings this season before getting dealt a 4-3 setback on Saturday night. Sean Bergenheim scored twice, his second making it a one-goal game 4:27 into the third period.

Florida, though, failed to score on a pair of power plays in the final frame.

"I think disappointment is what's on everyone's mind right now," said Bergenheim. "I think we had chances."

Nick Bjugstad also scored and Scott Clemmensen made 27 saves for the Panthers.

Clemmensen posted 17 saves in the recent win over the Canadiens, which came after Montreal won all three encounters last season. Jesse Winchester and Bjugstad had the goals.

Tim Thomas is likely to get the call in net on Sunday for the Panthers. He was activated off injured reserve this week following a groin injury.

Thomas is 14-15-4 with a 2.82 goals against average lifetime versus the Habs.

Peter Budaj will start in net for the Canadiens, his second appearance this season versus the Panthers. He made 23 saves in the loss on Dec. 15, falling to 1-4-1 with a 2.43 GAA in his career versus the Panthers.

No. 1 Carey Price made 23 saves and was perfect in the shootout in last night's 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lars Eller had the lone goal in the tiebreaker.

In the opening round, Eller faked back to the forehand before snapping the puck past Ben Bishop and Price followed with stops on Nikita Kucherov and Teddy Purcell for the win.

"I tried to make a move lateral and get it high and get it in," said Eller. "If we keep practicing, and keep putting hard work into the games, we'll keep things going in the right direction."

Tomas Plekanec scored the only goal in regulation for the Canadiens, who have won three of four and will play the fourth contest of a six-game road trip on Sunday. They moved within a point of Tampa Bay for second place in the Atlantic Division.






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