HabsWorld.net --
Six months less a day the Maple Leafs ended the Canadiens season in what might have been the most important regular season game the two teams have ever played against each other. With the win the Leafs passed the Canadiens in the standings despite having won two less games but had their playoff dreams dashed when the Islanders beat the Devils the following afternoon in a shootout.
Tonight the Canadiens will look to exact a little revenge in the ACC a building that has not been friendly to them. The Leafs have won three in a row at the ACC against the Canadiens and seven of the last ten.
For the Leafs this will be their third game in four nights. Toronto opened the season up with a home & home series with the Senators. Ottawa won both games but the Leafs did manage to pick up a point by taking their provincial rival to overtime in Toronto. Mats Sundin is off to a good start leading the Leafs with 3 points.
The Canadiens managed to win their season opener in Carolina thanks to their power play which appears unaffected by the loss of Sheldon Souray. Three power play goals including the overtime winner lifted the Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Hurricanes. Montreal rolled four lines and out shot the Canes 40-31.
Toronto is yet to score a power play goal this season but playing the Canadiens may help them out. Last year the Leafs were better then 30% against the Canadiens scoring 13 goals on 43 chances in 8 games., the Habs were not to shabby though scoring 8 times on their 32 chances.
Cristobal Huet will start for the Canadiens with seven starts against the Leafs in his career he has a 3-3 record with a 3.43 GAA and .897 save percentage. The Leafs starter is unknown but most believe Toskala will get the nod. Toskala has played just 20 minutes against the Canadiens in his career while he was in San Jose after the Canadiens chased Evgeni Nabokov.
Fun Facts
1. Tomas Kaberle scored 4 goals and added 8 assists in just 7 games against the Canadiens last year.
2. The Canadiens have won three consecutive games against the Leafs in October.
3. Saku Koivu scored 5 goals and added 5 assists in 8 games against the Leafs last season.
