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The Canadiens go for top spot in division, conference

Feb 23, 2008 - 2:44 PM Columbus (28-26-9) at Montreal (33-20-9) 7:30 pm EST

MONTREAL (Ticker) - If things go their way, the Montreal Canadiens could be first in the Eastern Conference by the end of Saturday.

Also setting their sights on the Northeast Division lead, the surging Canadiens host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

The Ottawa Senators, who play at Pittsburgh on Saturday, hold a one-point advantage over the Canadiens for the top spot in both the division and the conference.

The New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins, who are both in action Saturday, also are in the mix as they are tied with the Canadiens at 75 points.

The Canadiens followed up their historic five-goal comeback against the Rangers with a 5-4 loss to the Penguins on Thursday. Michael Ryder, who has just 12 goals on the season and is the subject of trade rumors, has tallied four times in the previous three games.

The Blue Jackets are concluding a five-game road trip. Columbus avoided a three-game losing streak Thursday with its first ever win in Ottawa, a 3-2 shootout triumph over the Senators.

Rick Nash, who leads the club with 32 goals, tallied in regulation and again in the bonus format on Thursday.

Montreal will honor Hall of Famer Bob Gainey by retiring his jersey No. 23 before the game. A five-time Stanley Cup winner, Gainey scored 239 goals and 262 assists in 1,160 games over 16 seasons with the Canadiens.

Gainey was known as a defensive forward, winning the Frank Selke Trophy in its first four years of existence from 1978-81. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1979.