Habs look to keep rolling in Pittsburgh
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | 10:05 AM ET
CBC Sports
Montreal Canadiens teammates Mike Cammalleri, left, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta have combined for six goals and seven assists in the team's last four wins. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)Riding the strong play of their new top line and backup goalie, the Montreal Canadiens will go for their first five-game winning streak in more than a year when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
The Habs' new-look first line of Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta has put up impressive numbers over the four-game streak — combining for six goals and seven assists over that time.
The last two wins saw Montreal (6-5-0) go the distance and then some — Cammalleri's goal in overtime Saturday capped a hat-trick performance against the New York Rangers in a 5-4 win. Roman Hamrlik provided the clinching goal in extra time on Monday to beat the Islanders 3-2.
"You're never really comfortable in overtime, but it shows a lot about our character," forward Travis Moen told the Canadiens' official website. "We just roll up our sleeves and we keep finding ways to win."
The wins can also be attributed to the fine play of second-string goaltender Jaroslav Halak who has played in each of the four wins and is expected to get the nod from coach Jacques Martin to start in Pittsburgh.
Halak has posted a 1.93 goals-against average and has yet to face the Penguins in his four-year career while starter Carey Price is 4-2-0 with a 2.80 GAA against Pittsburgh.
Pens look to resume streak
Whoever will be in the Canadiens' crease will face a team hungry to restart its own streak after having the last one snapped at seven games. The Penguins (9-2-0) didn't lose a game from Oct. 8-23, until they dropped a 4-1 decision to New Jersey on Saturday.
"It's one of those nights you don't ever want to happen," forward Bill Guerin said. "There's another game in a couple of days. We'll get back on the horse."
The Penguins and Canadiens each had a pair of wins in last year's season series, but both Pittsburgh wins came after Dan Bylsma took over the team from the fired Michel Therrien in mid-February.
However, Bylsma said he knows his team will be hosting a much different Montreal squad than the one they saw last year.
"Montreal certainly poses a different look than they have in the past," Bylsma told the Penguins' official website. "They have some dangerous players, a new top line and kind of a different look and different things to be worried about."
Marc-Andre Fleury, who is 6-5-1 with a 3.88 GAA lifetime versus the Canadiens, should be in net for Pittsburgh looking to bounce back from his first loss of the season.
The Pens will look for offensive output from Evgeni Malkin, who has scored goals in his past three games versus Montreal, and for Sidney Crosby to get going. The Pittsburgh captain has been held to one assist in that same stretch.
With files from the Associated Press
