Music: {allcanada} CANADIENS HOPE HEALTHY WISNIEWSKI BOOSTS AILING POWER PLAY

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

{allcanada} CANADIENS HOPE HEALTHY WISNIEWSKI BOOSTS AILING POWER PLAY

BROSSARD, Que. -- The Montreal Canadiens should have defenceman James Wisniewski back for a key showdown with Boston and that's good news for their struggling power play.

Wisniewski missed the last two games with strep throat. He is expected to play against the Bruins Wednesday night in Boston.

The power play point man said he has dealt with bouts of strep throat since childhood.

"I get it twice a year, around October and around February," he said. "I know when I'm getting it.

"I know my symptoms. I don't know if it's that my body starts wearing down at the beginning of the season from training and then halfway to the three-quarter point of the season and I'm susceptible to it. Usually I catch it in time, but this time I was about a day late and it put me off."

The Canadiens will be glad to have him back. They have not scored in their last 22 power-play chances over the last five games.

Wisniewski said the loss of sniper Michael Cammalleri to a shoulder injury has hurt the power play because it takes away a dangerous shooter from the right boards and allows opponents to key on the point men.

Cammalleri has missed the last seven games. Coach Jacques Martin said he may resume skating later this week.

The Canadiens trail Northeast Division-leading Boston by two points.