MAPLE LEAFS AT CANADIENS
Bell Centre, Saturday, 7 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio
The matchup: It doesn’t matter where these traditional rivals are in the standings, whenever they play you can usually count on a hard-fought contest. The Canadiens boast the best record in the NHL and they are 12 points up on Toronto in the standings, but the Habs needed two goals in the final eight minutes to beat the Leafs 3-1 in the season opener in Toronto on Oct. 7.
Defence is the key: Carey Price has picked up where he left off last season and has posted a 6-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, a .966 save percentage and two shutouts. He and Mike Condon have been supported by a balanced offence that has produced 30 goals in eight games. P.K. Subban is coming off a three-assist game in Buffalo Friday night. He’s still looking for his first goal, but his eight assists have him tied for third in the team scoring race with Brendan Gallagher (three goals). Gallagher had two goals and Andrei Markov had a goal and four assists in Buffalo to tie for the team lead (nine points) with Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec.
The opposition: The Leafs have three points in their last three games, which coach Mike Babcock sees as progress, but after a 2-1 shootout loss in Buffalo on Wednesday Toronto (1-3-2) is tied for last place in the Atlantic Division. Leo Komarov leads Toronto with three goals, while Joffrey Lupul and James Van Riemsdyk have each scored twice. The Leafs rank 23rd in defence.
The streak: The Canadiens are at eight wins and counting to start the season. They are two wins short of tying the NHL record.
Injury update: The Leafs are hoping to have centre Tyler Bozak back in the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury. Defenceman Jake Gardiner remains day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, but he is not expected to play. Defenceman Stéphane Robidas is a long-term casualty with knee and groin ailments.
What’s next: The Canadiens will hit the road next week for games Tuesday in Vancouver, Thursday in Edmonton and Friday in Calgary. Their next home game will be Sunday, Nov. 1, against the Winnipeg Jets.
phickey@montrealgazette.com
