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Habs, Panthers clash in Florida

Dec 30, 2014 - 3:59 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Florida Panthers will aim for their first three-game winning streak of the season when they welcome the Montreal Canadiens for Tuesday's battle at BB&T Center.

The Panthers are 2-0 so far on a four-game homestand that is set to end tomorrow night against the New York Rangers. However, it's been over a year since Florida last won three in a row during a five-game run from Dec. 10-19 of last season.

After posting a shootout win over Pittsburgh on Dec. 22, the Panthers emerged from the Christmas break with Sunday's 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sunday's victory was Florida's fourth in five games and the club is 5-1-1 over its last seven outings. The Panthers, who are two points out of a playoff spot in the East, also have won four straight on home ice and are 9-4-2 in Sunrise this season.

The Panthers used a ferocious third-period comeback to down the Maple Leafs on Sunday. Toronto held a 4-2 edge after 40 minutes of play, but Florida responded with four unanswered goals in the final period.

Brad Boyes redirected in Dmitry Kulikov's wrister from the point on a power play for the go-ahead goal with 3:15 remaining. That tally made it a 5-4 game and Scottie Upshall would later add an empty-net score to arrive at the final margin.

Kulikov and Willie Mitchell also scored in the third for the Panthers, while Roberto Luongo picked up the win with 18 saves.

"I thought we played a real good game," said Panthers coach Gerard Gallant.

Florida will try for another strong effort against a Montreal team that won its third straight game on Monday night. The Canadiens visited the Carolina Hurricanes and notched a 3-1 victory behind a 28-save effort from Carey Price.

Lars Eller and Jiri Sekac both scored in the second period for the Canadiens, while Max Pacioretty added an empty-net goal to help Montreal secure its sixth win in seven games.

Price only allowed a power-play goal to Eric Staal early in the third period. He made 12 saves in the final stanza.

"We didn't play a good third period, but we were able to hold on," Price said.

Dustin Tokarski could give Price a rest tonight. Montreal's backup has never started against Florida, but did face the Panthers once in a relief appearance.

Montreal is second in the Atlantic Division, but has a chance to take over the top spot from the idle Tampa Bay Lightning. The Habs are two points behind Tampa, but a win would give them possession of first place as a result of holding the tiebreaker.

Tonight's tilt marks the first of five meetings this season between the Habs and Panthers. Montreal has claimed two straight and five of the last seven encounters overall and also have won three of the past four meetings in South Florida.

The Canadiens are 10-7-1 as the road team after beginning a five-game swing with consecutive wins.