HabsWorld.net --
The Canadiens longest streak of the year has
been two games, on two occasions they have won twice in a row and are yet to
lose two in a row. This stat has pros and cons but if the Canadiens want to move
forward and progress to becoming an elite team they must start to win more than
a couple of games in a row.
The Senators on the other hand have been consistent but not in a way the
nation’s capital is used to. With only one victory in their last seven games the
rumour mill is spinning hard and fast about the future of head coach Bryan
Murray, GM John Muckler and captain Daniel Alfredsson with the franchise.
Both teams are coming off of road losses on Saturday night to divisional rivals.
The Senators lost by a single goal to the Boston Bruins while the Canadiens were
thumped in Toronto 5-1.
Senators goaltender Martin Gerber who was signed to a 3 year deal this summer
worth $3.7 million dollars per season has struggled out of the gate this season
with only 3 wins. Gerber has allowed at least 3 goals in his last five starts
and has just once had a save percentage above .870.
Cristobal Huet will be in goal for the Canadiens who earlier this year lost in a
shootout to these very Senators. Huet has won 2 of his last three starts and has
allowed just 4 goals in those games.
Fun Facts
1. Sheldon Souray leads the Canadiens in shots by 22, the injured Chris Higgins
is second with just 38 shots and he ranks 95th in the NHL overall in terms of
shots for a forward.
2. The Senators have lost 9 of their first 16 games in regulation this season,
last year they did not reach that mark until January 7th which was their 40th
game of the season.
3. Another interesting stat is the Senators goal production has amassed 23 less
goals this season than they had at the same point last season.
