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Canadiens try to punctuate solid November

Nov 30, 2006 - 1:28 PM Montreal (14-6-3) at Carolina (13-10-3) 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - The Montreal Canadiens look to close out a solid November the same way they started it - with a win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Canadiens on Thursday visit the slumping Hurricanes, who have dropped three of their last four games.

Montreal began the month with a 4-0 victory over Carolina on November 2. Goaltender Cristobal Huet made 31 saves en route to his first shutout of the season and defenseman Mike Komisarek and Saku Koivu both scored a goal for the Canadiens, who have gone 8-4-0 this month.

Alexei Kovalev and Koivu both scored in the shootout as the Canadiens edged Florida, 1-0, on Tuesday. Huet stopped 36 shots and turned away two of the Panthers' three attempts in the shootout.

Meanwhile, Carolina absorbed a 4-1 setback to Ottawa on Tuesday. Andrew Ladd netted the lone goal and netminder John Grahame had 32 saves for the Hurricanes, who went 0-for-5 on the power play.

The Canadiens lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champions in six games in last season's Eastern Conference quarterfinals.