HabsWorld.net -- 

The Montreal Canadiens rolled into Washington to take on the Capitals this evening. Recently, the Habs have been playing exceptionally well, riding a 7-2-1 record over the last 10 games, including a 4-0 shutout of the Capitals in Montreal
last Tuesday.

It should be noted that Washington has also been playing very well lately, despite the recent loss to the Habs. Since Bruce Boudreau has taken over the head coach’s position, the team have gone from a 6-14-1 record to a 17-9-4 record. The
Capitals have practically risen from the dead in the league standings, and although they are in 12th spot in the conference standings, they are only 3 points out of 8th spot and the same number of points behind division leading Carolina.

After Tuesday’s loss to the Canadiens, several players were not so much upset over the decision, but were fuming over the end of game results. The Habs scored
their 4th goal with 47 seconds remaining in the game, and made several attempts
to score a 5th goal during the remainder of the game. “They tried to embarrass
us,” right wing Viktor Kozlov said after yesterday’s practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “We have to remember those things and prepare ourselves better. Our memory is fresh and the feeling is fresh.”

Canadiens’ winger Alexei Kovalev suffered a severe slash to the thumb in the last game. However, x-rays showed no fracture and he is expecting to play tonight.

Expect the same lineup for tonight’s game for the Habs, including Cristobal Huet as the starter in goal. Despite Huet’s strong play recently, with Montreal playing 3 games in 4 days starting tonight, it is expected that Jaroslav Halak will get one start among the trio of games.