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Canadiens open road trip at suddenly surging Senators

Jan 17, 2009 - 11:28 AM Montreal (26-11-6) at Ottawa (15-21-6), 7:00 p.m. EST

OTTAWA (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens open a five-game road trip on Saturday when they visit the Ottawa Senators.

After getting its four-game winning streak snapped at Boston, Montreal bounced back with a 3-2 triumph over Nashville on Thursday.

Andrei Markov had a goal and an assist and Robert Lang set up two tallies for the Canadiens, who will be on the road through the All-Star break until a home contest on January 31.

Ottawa, which had gone 1-7-1 in its previous nine games, is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time since December 3 and 6. The wins also match the team's season-high winning streak.

Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson each scored a power-play goal and had an assist as the Senators defeated the Atlanta Thrashers, 3-2, on Wednesday.

Rookie goaltender Brian Elliott has been in net for both Ottawa wins, stopping 29 shots against Atlanta and making 23 saves in Tuesday's 5-1 triumph against Carolina. The 23-year-old has made three starts this season and four in his career.

Montreal has won both meetings this season, one via the shootout.