Confident Canadiens welcome Philly to town
The Canadiens emerged victorious from their wide-open battle against Boston over the weekend. Will Michel Therrien’s club be able to thrive at a more measured pace tonight?
As the lone NHL team yet to lose in regulation, host Montreal enters its tilt with Philadelphia as a sizable favorite. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives Carey Price & Co. odds of -165 to move to 5-0-1. The Flyers, on the other hand, typify +145 underdogs.
On Saturday, the Habs held on for a 4-2 win over the Bruins’ frenetic group. Brendan Gallagher, Philip Danault, Torrey Mitchell and Paul Byron all potted goals, speaking to Montreal’s uber-deep lines. Price, a year removed from missing 70 contests due to a strained knee ligament, also seems as stout as ever in net.
Meanwhile, Philly’s situation between the pipes continues to worsen. Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth have combined to post a 3.80 GAA. Few would’ve expected the tandem to push for the Jennings Trophy, but that collective save percentage of .874 must improve, too.
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The one bit of good news for the visiting squad: Defenseman Michael Del Zotto and forward Scott Laughton are ready to rejoin the mix. Still, we can’t possibly endorse Dave Hakstol’s troops in the daunting Bell Centre environment. Look for Price to ensure a low-scoring affair.
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