Game 36: Canadiens at Hurricanes

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Match Up

After an extended Christmas break, the Canadiens (22-11-2) look to pick up where they left off when they face the Hurricanes (10-21-4) in Carolina on Monday. The game is set to start at 7:00 and can be seen on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the second of three meetings between the Habs and Canes this season, and the only one in Carolina. Alex Galchenyuk scored his first career hat trick the last time these teams met and Max Pacioretty picked up three assists to lead the Habs to a 4-1 victory.

What to Watch

As good as Galchenyuk and Pacioretty have looked together, David Desharnais has looked alright as well on a line with P.A. Parenteau and now Lars Eller. Desharnais has three goals and two assists in his past five games, a quarter of the 20 points he has in 35 games this season.

There haven't been many bright spots in the Canes season so far this year, except the possible high draft pick at the end of the tunnel. The Hurricanes are the second worst team in the NHL, three points ahead of the league-worst Oilers. Defenseman Justin Faulk has emerged as one of the team's best players, leading the Canes in scoring with 20 points.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens may have had an extra couple of days off but their competition hasn't. Both the Red Wings and the Lightning picked up wins on Saturday leaving the Habs in third place in the Atlantic division, but with games in hand.

Who's Out

The Canadiens are rested and healthy headed in to Monday's action.

Jordan Staal is set to make his season debut on Monday and Jiri Tlusty is expected to return to the lineup as well for Carolina. Alex Semin (upper body) is day-to-day.

What Else

The IIHF World Junior Championship is underway taking place in Toronto and Montreal this year, and the Canadiens have four prospects taking part. Goaltending prospect Zach Fucale is the starting netminder for Canada, Artturi Lehkonen is captain of the Finnish team, Jacob De La Rose is wearing the "C" for team Sweden, and Martin Reway is captaining the Slovaks. As impressive as it is to have three prospects captaining their respective teams, the Canadiens top draft picks from the past two seasons, Michael McCarron and Nikita Scherbak, were left off their countries' roster.

The Question Mark

What have been the Habs greatest strengths and weaknesses so far this season?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Hurricanes.

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Game 32: Canadiens vs Hurricanes

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (19-10-2) are home to host the Hurricanes (8-18-3) Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, for the third match in their five-game homestand. The game is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the first of three meetings between the Habs and Canes, and the first of two in Montreal. Last season, the Habs went 2-0-1 against the Hurricanes. The team lost 5-4 in overtime after blowing a 3-0 third period lead. Jeff Skinner had two goals and an assist to spark the Canes' comeback.

What to Watch

Jiri Sekac scored a pair of goals in Montreal's 6-2 win over the Kings, giving him four points in the last three games and his first multi-goal game in the NHL. PK Subban scored a goal and added a pair of assists Friday as well, bringing him up to 22 on the season. Sven Andrighetto still has a point in every NHL game he's played after scoring his second career goal and third point.

The Hurricanes have lost five in a row, sending the team crashing to the bottom of the league standings tied with the Edmonton Oilers. The Hurricanes don't have a single player with a positive plus/minus rating who's played over 15 games this season. Justin Faulk the team's leading scorer with 17 points is also a team worst -15.

What's at Stake

Depending on how their division rivals do on Tuesday, the Canadiens have a chance to end up anywhere from first in the division, if they earn a win and Detroit and Tampa don't, to fourth, if the Leafs win their game and the Habs lose to the Canes.

Who's Out

Lars Eller (upper body) is nearing a return but won't be back in time for Tuesday. Mike Weaver (concussion) is also working toward a return, as is Bryan Allen (flu).

The Hurricanes are missing Jordan Staal (leg), Andrej Nestrasil (upper body) and Alexander Semin (lower body). Jiri Tlusty (undisclosed) missed Saturday's game against the Flyers but could be ready to return on Tuesday.

What Else

Montreal's new look line-up is expected to stay intact for at least one more game, giving Alex Galchenyuk another opportunity to show what he can do at center on the team's top line. Despite not picking up a point in the two games he's played in the role so far, Galchenyuk has not looked out of place in the role. David Desharnais meanwhile, looked pretty good between new linemates P.A. Parenteau and Michael Bournival, picking up a goal against the Kings.

The Question Mark

What for you has been the Habs highlight of the season so far and which player are you most excited to watch each game?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 to preview the Canadiens and Hurricanes.

Read More