[7:00 PM] Canadiens @ Capitals

Who will WIN this matchup?

Montreal Canadiens (19-7-4)

@ Washington Capitals (19-7-3)

 

Starting Goalies:

Carey Price (MON): Confirmed

Braden Holtby (WSH): Confirmed

 

• The Washington Capitals are finding their game after a lackluster start and look to extend their season-high winning streak to seven games when the injury-plagued Montreal Canadiens pay a visit Saturday. The Capitals notched their sixth straight win 4-3 in a shootout at Carolina on Friday and expect to have No. 1 goalie Braden Holtby back in net to face the Canadiens. Washington has outscored opponents 21-11 during the winning streak and its power play has warmed up in the last four games, converting six of 12 opportunities in that span.

• The Capitals likely will face a determined Carey Price in net after the former Vezina Trophy winner was pulled Friday when he allowed four goals in a 4-2 loss to San Jose. The Canadiens, who are without injured centers Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais long term because of knee injuries and saw fellow forward Andrew Shaw sit out Friday with concussion-like symptoms, still have gained points in five of six games (3-1-2). Captain Max Pacioretty has played a big part in that run, registering seven goals over that span.

• Shaw was injured Monday when he suffered a big hit from Boston defenseman Torey Krug and power forward Michael McCarron took a spot on the lineup Friday for the first time this season, recording an assist. Alexander Radulov and Galchenyuk own 23 points — one behind Pacioretty for the team lead — and defenseman Andrei Markov has 21. Offensive defenseman Shea Weber boasts eight goals and 10 assists, but the All-Star has been blanked on the scoresheet in eight consecutive contests.

• Captain Alex Ovechkin recorded his second goal in 10 games Friday to increase his team-leading total to 14 and center Nicklas Backstrom chipped in with an assist to push his team-best total to 26 points. Defenseman Matt Niskanen has two consecutive multi-point games after posting two goals against the New York Islanders on Tuesday and contributing a pair of assists Friday. Philipp Grubauer was in net for the Capitals in Carolina while Holtby owns a 4-1-1 record and .938 save percentage in December.

• he Capitals won two of three meetings last season, taking the only game in Washington 3-1 just after Christmas.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Washington Capitals

Confidence: 5/10

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