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Canadiens face Hurricanes in interdivision game

Nov 2, 2006 - 2:12 PM Montreal (6-2-3) at Carolina (6-5-2) 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - The Montreal Canadiens begin a three-game stretch against opponents outside the Northeast Division on Thursday when they visit the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes.

Montreal earned a huge division win on Tuesday when it downed the Ottawa Senators, 4-2.

Defenseman Andrei Markov scored a rare game-winning goal with an empty-net tally.

Alexei Kovalev had a goal to give him four points in his last two games. Sergei Samsonov, who like Kovalev started slowly, has three points in his last two games for the Canadiens.

The Hurricanes go for their third straight victory after a 5-2 triumph over the Atlanta Thrashers on Wednesday.

Ray Whitney and Rod Brind'Amour each scored twice and Cam Ward made 40 saves for Carolina, which was outshot, 42-18.