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Maple Leafs look to snap out of funk at Montreal

Dec 2, 2006 - 4:06 PM Toronto (13-10-4) at Montreal (14-7-3) 7:00 pm EST

MONTREAL (Ticker) - The struggling Toronto Maple Leafs try to get back on track on Saturday when they travel to Montreal to take on their Northeast Division rival Montreal Canadiens.

The Leafs are only 2-5-1 in their last eight games, and come off a decisive 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday. Toronto had its streak of eight straight victories against Atlanta ended, and in convincing fashion.

Atlanta only led, 2-0, in the third period before Toronto disintegrated in allowing three goals in a span of just under five minutes. The Maple Leafs actually outshot the Thrashers, 36-27, but were blanked in seven power-play attempts while surrendering three Atlanta tallies with the extra skater.

The Canadiens, who lead Toronto by one point with three games in hand, have been playing better hockey that the Leafs lately in going 4-2-0 in their last six. However, they have lost two of their last three contests.

Carolina defeated Montreal, 4-2, on Thursday. Tomas Plekanic and Michael Ryder scored for the Canadiens to help get them a 2-2 tie after two periods. But Montreal allowed two goals in 46 seconds midway through the third period.

Carolina outshot Montreal, 48-27, as Canadiens netminder Cristobal Huet was forced to make 44 saves. The Canadiens were especially dominated in the decisive third period, as they were outshot, 20-8.

The Toronto game starts a stretch where the Canadiens play four games in seven nights.