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Canadiens look to regroup before road trip

Jan 15, 2009 - 11:44 AM Nashville (20-20-3) at Montreal (25-11-6), 7:30 p.m. EST

MONTREAL (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens were rolling until they ran into a fellow Eastern Conference powerhouse. Perhaps a game against a less challenging foe will help get them back on track.

After having their four-game winning streak halted, the Canadiens hope to vanquish the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

Montreal has the chance to right itself following Tuesday's 3-1 setback to the Boston Bruins before beginning a five-game road swing in Ottawa on Saturday.

Andrei Kostitsyn netted the lone goal against the East's most prolific defensive club and has eight goals in his last nine games, including two multiple-goal efforts.

The Canadiens had been enjoying their longest winning run of the season since notching five straight victories from October 11-20.

Despite the recent loss, goaltender Jaroslav Halak has been stellar in the absence of injured All-Star Carey Price. Price has not played since December 30 and Halak boasts a 4-2-0 record since.

Nashville, meanwhile, has been playing extremely well. Following a five-game skid, the Predators have won three of their last four and are coming off a 2-0 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

Nashville captain Jason Arnott missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury and his status for this game is uncertain.