[habschick]

Bell Centre, 3:00 PM ET

TV: RDS, TSN, FSNY

Radio: CJAD 800, CKAC 730

MONTREAL – Game 2 of a rare pair of back-to-back weekend matinees goes today and the Canadiens will look to get back on the winning track as they host the New Jersey Devils for the final time this season. Guy Carbonneau’s crew was edged 4-3 by the Rangers Saturday, dropping two straight in regulation for only the second time this season. The Devils were also in action Saturday afternoon, picking up a 3-2 win over the Senators in Ottawa, earning at least a point for a sixth straight game.

Record defender: Sheldon Souray used his 40th appearance of the season Saturday to add his name to the franchise record books. In beating Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist in the third period, Souray notched his 11th power-play tally of the season, tying him with Guy Lapointe, Mathieu Schneider and Patrice Brisebois, who needed 80, 75, and 77 games respectively to realize the feat. Next on Souray’s list: 18 goals with the man advantage. Reaching that mark would add the 30-year-old’s name to the NHL record books alongside Denis Potvin and Adrian Aucoin.

Reversal of fortune: Martin Brodeur has made a habit of being at his best against his hometown team. Today, the Canadiens will be looking to snap a six-game slide against New Jersey. In the last 40 meetings between the two clubs, Montreal has won seven and tied seven games.

It’s in the bag…almost: The Canadiens have found the back of the net at least three times in a game on 25 occasions this season. In those contests, the club has lost just twice in regulation, recording 21 wins and dropping two in shootouts. The Devils also have 21 wins when scoring three goals or more, but have lost five.

 

[habschick]

Brodeur loves to face his hometown team. He may enjoy opposing the Montreal Canadiens even more now given their current physical state.

Brodeur and the Devils look to continue their recent dominance over the Canadiens on Sunday when the teams meet for the third time this season.

Brodeur, a native of Montreal, has been in net for a pair of wins this season over the Canadiens, stopping 51 of 53 shots. He has won six straight starts against Montreal and is 31-12 with five ties, six shutouts and a 1.77 goals-against-average against them.

The Devils (24-13-4) are 27-6 with six ties and one overtime loss versus the Canadiens in the last 40 meetings.

Brian Gionta scored twice and Brodeur turned aside 33 shots in New Jersey's 3-2 victory Saturday at Ottawa.

Brodeur admitted his team was looking to get even for an embarrassing 8-1 loss at Ottawa on Oct. 21.

"We thought about it," said Brodeur, the NHL leader with 24 wins this season. "You try to step up your game when one of those happens. Revenge was definitely on our minds. We beat them in New Jersey, but it was in this building that we wanted to beat them. We didn't embarrass them, but we won."

The Atlantic Division-leading Devils have won five of six with the only blemish in that span a 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Rangers on Monday.

One of the keys during New Jersey's current hot streak has been the play of second-year left wing Zach Parise, who has seven goals and six assists in his last 10 games.

Center Patrik Elias also has been contributing lately for the Devils. An assist Saturday gave him 11 goals and 25 points in his last 18 contests.

Montreal (23-12-5) rallied from a two-goal deficit, but allowed a goal to New York's Matt Cullen with 6:05 remaining Saturday in a 4-3 loss to the visiting Rangers.

It was the fourth loss in five games for the Canadiens, who were without captain and leading scorer Saku Koivu and rookie right wing Guillaume Latendresse because of a virus that has hit several players.

"We wanted that win. It would have been pretty nice considering how the team feels," forward Chris Higgins said.

With two regulars out of the lineup, centers Mikhail Grabovski and Maxime Lapierre were recalled from Hamilton of the AHL on Friday. Grabovski made his NHL debut on a line with Alex Kovalev and Sergei Samsonov.

Backup David Aebischer made his first start since Dec. 21, stopping 30 of 34 shots.

Cristobal Huet, who has lost three of his past four games, figures to be back in net Sunday. Huet, though, has lost all four career starts against New Jersey with a 3.06 GAA.

Samsonov has struggled all season with just six goals. That lack of production becomes magnified without Koivu out of the lineup.

Samsonov, a four-time 20-goal scorer, has gone 10 straight games overall without a goal, but has found the back of the net five times in his last seven meetings with New Jersey.

 

[habschick]

ok the habs really need a win. It will be hard playing Brodeur though. He always plays better when be comes back to Montreal!

Lets go habs

 

[panoo]

Habs welcome Devils to Montreal

(Sports Network) - The Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey Devils aim for their third straight victory this afternoon, when they visit the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.

The Devils, who hold a four-point edge over the Rangers in the Atlantic, played Saturday in Ottawa and earned a 3-2 triumph. Brian Gionta netted a pair of goals, including the game-winner late in the third period to lead New Jersey at Scotiabank Place.

Zach Parise also scored for the Devils, who have won five of their last six games overall. Martin Brodeur made 33 saves in the win and Scott Gomez had a pair of assists.

The Devils are 10-10-1 as the visiting club this year, and will wrap up a brief two-game swing today.

Montreal is in the middle of a three-game homestand, but started the residency off on a bad note, as they dropped Saturday's game to the New York Rangers. Matt Cullen scored two goals, including the game-winner, to help New York earn the 4-3 victory.

FULL STORY

 

[Canuck]

Game Day Thread: New Jersey @ Montreal, January 7th 2007

I will be here and watching the game. If anyone else has the time feel free to join.

 

[habschick]

Sorry Canuck- there is already a thread for this game.

http://www.hockeyforum.com/montreal-canadiens/6563-gdt-new-jersey-devils-montreal-canadiens.html

If I knew how I would merge the 2 threads.

 

[habschick]

Devils win 3-0. This game was pretty pathetic.

Brodeur continues to play extra hard agaisnt the habs!