The recent injury to Michael Cammallieri has yet to slow
down the Montreal Canadiens, although the team certainly could use its leading
goal scorer when the high-powered Pittsburgh Penguins enter the Bell Centre
this afternoon.
Cammallieri, who's totaled 26 goals thus far in his first season in Montreal,
is expected to miss at least six weeks after injuring his right knee in the
Habs' January 30 loss at Ottawa. The Canadiens have been able to cope with the
standout forward's absence thus far, having won both of their games since
Cammallieri has left the lineup.
After halting Vancouver's seven-game win streak with a 3-2 victory at the Bell
Centre on Tuesday, Montreal extended the Boston Bruins' current woes by edging
their Northeast Division rivals in a shootout Thursday at TD Garden. Brian
Gionta scored the only goal of the deciding phase in the Canadiens' 3-2 win,
which was highlighted by a stellar performance from goaltender Jaroslav Halak.
Halak amassed 45 saves in regulation and overtime, then stoned all three
Boston skaters he faced in the shootout. The Slovakian native was equally as
good in Tuesday's triumph over the Canucks, turning aside 45-of-47 shots in
that win.
"I think (Halak) played very well," said Montreal head coach Jacques Martin
after Thursday's contest. "I thought it was a real good comeback. Our power
play got an important goal to get us on the scoresheet, and then our goalie
did his job."
The Canadiens trailed 2-0 early in the second period, but drew even on goals
from Glen Metropolit and Roman Hamrlik during the middle session.
Montreal, which currently stands sixth in the competitive Eastern Conference
with 60 points, starts up a key three-game homestand this afternoon. The
Canadiens are 13-11-4 as the host this season and have won their last two
tests on home ice.
Pittsburgh holds the No. 4 spot in the conference standings with 71 points and
trails first-place New Jersey by three points in the Atlantic Division race.
The Penguins have kept pace with the Devils by winning four of their last five
games, including Monday's 5-4 triumph over Northeast Division leader Buffalo.
The Pens overcame an early 3-1 deficit by erupting for four unaswered goals in
the second period, three of which came off the stick of Sidney Crosby. The
All-Star centerman's hat trick gave him 37 goals for the season, which trails
only Washington's Alex Ovechkin and San Jose's Patrick Marleau for tops in the
NHL.
"All the goals were great plays by a lot of different guys and I was fortunate
enough to bury it," said Crosby. "I thought collectively in the second and
third [periods] we really raised our level of play and created a lot of good
opportunities."
Jordan Staal and Mark Letestu also had goals for Pittsburgh to help support a
30-save effort from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Evgeni Malkin recorded two
assists on the night and now has amassed 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists) during
an eight-game scoring streak.
More help could be on the way for the Penguins, whose 173 goals rank fifth in
the NHL. Forward Chris Kunitz, out since January 3 due to abdominal surgery,
has resumed practicing and could be back in the lineup as soon as today. The
30-year-old has produced six goals and 14 assists in 30 games this season.
Pittsburgh will be shooting for a season sweep of the Canadiens, having taken
each of the previous three meetings between the clubs in 2009-10. The Penguins
have won five in a row against Montreal and prevailed in four of their last
five trips to the Bell Centre.
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