Montreal is trying to rebound from tough 2-1 loss in Carolina in their last game. The Habs blew a 1-0 third period lead by giving two quick goals. Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau is not happy and demand more work from players. Players will battle for ice time, Sergei Kostityn has been dropped to the 4 th line and George Laraque is back in the lineup. Carey Price gets the call in goal.
The Senators were on the losing side again in their last game at New York. Ottawa have dropped 5 straight games while the injury list continues to grow. No 2 center Mike Fisher (leg) joins Chris Neil and Ryan Shannon on the press box. Senators looking for NHL calibre forwards right now. Ryan Shannon and Ilya Zubov (last week) and Cody Bass (today) have been called up from the farm club. Ottawa sticking with the big no 1 line of Alfredsson-Spezza-Heatley, then you have Vermette-Kelley-Winchester, Donavan-Mcammond-Ruutu and Bass-Zubov-Foligno.
Well, the Senators are very thin at the center position. Montreal has some favorable matchups tonight against the second and third line. Habs sending Saku Koivu, Robert Lang and Tomas Plekanek against very average second and third line centers of the Sens. We won't see the Sens 4 th line very often. Montreal is matching well with the Senators since they like to skate and create plays on open ice. Ottawa not a physical team and missing players tonight. Habs tough guy George Laraque should also have free lane tonight with Chris Neil out. The Habs have won the last two meetings by shutouts against the Sens and Carey Price got the win on both games. Price is in goal tonight. Habs took only meeting this year 4-0.
I like the Canadiens chances. They have been challenged to work harder by Guy Carbonneau and they should be hungry for this one. Montreal with more depth tonight. I think you get 15 cents value here, Ottawa is getting respect due to past years record.
The Washington Capitals keep winning despite stars players falling to injuries. Sergei Fedorov, Alex Semin and now puck moving defenseman Mike Green are out. Caps won 6-4 against the Ducks last night. Goalie Brent Johnson gets the start.
Los Angeles will try to rebound from a 2 game losing streak.
I think the Capitals are running out of luck. Caps have been able to generate offense without some good players out. However, I think they might be in trouble tonight against a well rested Kings squad. Washington ran into bad goaltending from oppostion in their last 2 games. I think the Capital could be exposed tonight without 2 key pieces of their power plays out. PP specialist Mike Green will not be there tonight and Sergei Fedorov is not there to replace him. Washington other leathal weapon Alex Semin will miss his third straight game. I like the Kings chances, healthy team rested challenging banged up team in back to back games in a traveling situation.
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