The Montreal Canadiens and visiting Anaheim Ducks both will be playing the second game of back-to-back sets when they face off on Sunday night.
The Canadiens, who reside in third place in the Atlantic Division, saw their three-game winning streak snapped on Saturday night with a 4-2 home loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Cole Caufield returned from a one-game absence due to illness to score his career-high 38th goal. Captain Nick Suzuki also tallied, defenseman Noah Dobson had two assists and Jakub Dobes made 17 saves for Montreal.
“We kind of let them in and do kind of whatever they wanted,” Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson said. “We didn’t make it hard enough on them. They definitely felt comfortable having the puck on their stick.”
Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher, the team’s longest-serving player at 14 seasons, was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career.
“I’m pretty sure he took it better than me (in his own playing career),” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “It’s not easy, considering all he’s represented to the Canadiens over the years. But it’s where we’re at in the schedule, with our depth. We’ll move forward, continue to evaluate, and Gally is a pro.”
St. Louis added that the 33-year-old Gallagher would play Sunday.
“You’re going to see a lot from him, because he’s the most competitive guy I know,” teammate Jake Evans said about Gallagher. “When challenges hit him, he doesn’t just give in; he goes right for ’em. So you’re going to see him at his best,”
Gallagher has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 64 games.
As for Anaheim, the Ducks dropped a 2-0 road decision to the Ottawa Senators for their third loss in the last four games.
Anaheim defenseman Radko Gudas served the first contest of his five-game suspension for a knee-to-knee hit that ended the season of Toronto Maple Leafs’ star captain Auston Matthews.
The Ducks had 23 shots on Saturday but could not solve Senators’ goalie Linus Ullmark.
“I think we ran into a strong goalie tonight,” Anaheim forward Beckett Sennecke said. “They were pretty tough in front of their net, clearing us out, and I think that just sums it up.”
Ville Husso made 27 saves for the Ducks.
“I thought we had a decent first (period), not very good, we’re lucky to come out of it alive at zeros,” Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville said. “And then the second period, they took over the game.”
Defenseman John Carlson, who was acquired from the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline, may make his debut with the Ducks on Sunday. Carlson, 36, has been sidelined with a lower-body injury.
“I think I can add a lot of value, both in my play and what I can do out there, but also what I think I can impart on them mentally, or through talking and chatting,” Carlson said shortly after the trade. “I think there’s so much talent there, there’s so much fun to be had, that it’s an exciting proposition.”
