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Canadiens go for fourth straight win

Feb 19, 2008 - 1:43 PM NY Rangers (30-24-7) at Montreal (32-19-9) 7:30 pm EST

MONTREAL (Ticker) - The Montreal Canadiens will seek their fourth consecutive victory and the top spot in the Eastern Conference when they host the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

With 73 points, the Canadiens are currently locked in a three-way tie atop the conference standings with the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils are idle Tuesday and depending on what happens in Ottawa's game with Philadelphia, Montreal could grab sole possession of first place.

Montreal is hoping to build off its weekend home-and-home sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers. After blanking the Flyers, 1-0, at the Bell Centre on Saturday, former Ranger Alexei Kovalev scored a goal and set up two others in Sunday's 5-3 victory.

The 34-year-old Kovalev has been key in the team's success and leads the club this season with 27 goals and 59 points.

Also playing a major role recently is 20-year-old goaltender Carey Price, who has been in net throughout the three-game winning streak.

The Rangers, who have defeated the Canadiens in each of their three previous meetings, will look to sweep the season series as they go for their third straight win.

Ryan Callahan, who has just five goals and no assists this season, scored twice Sunday as New York skated to a 3-1 triumph over the San Jose Sharks.