Music: {allcanada} CANADIENS (30-13-3) at RANGERS (27-14-4)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

{allcanada} CANADIENS (30-13-3) at RANGERS (27-14-4)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

7:00 PM ET

CANADIENS (30-13-3) at RANGERS (27-14-4)

TV: NBCSN, RDS, SNE, MSG

Season series: The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers have split two games. Carey Price made 34 saves in a 3-1 win Oct. 25 in their first game against the Rangers since New York's 1-0 victory in Game 6 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Final. The Rangers responded Nov. 23 with five goals against Canadiens backup goalie Dustin Tokarski in Henrik Lundqvist's fourth shutout.

Canadiens team scope: Despite being outshot 42-26, Montreal earned a 3-2 victory against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Winners of three straight and 13-3-1 in their past 17 games, the Canadiens hold a five-point edge on the Rangers in the Eastern Conference. "We're going to play, probably, one of the best teams in the NHL," coach Michel Therrien told the Canadiens website. "This is going to be a real challenge for us." Price was excused from practice Wednesday after he made 40 saves against Dallas to earn his 25th win. Forward Gabriel Dumont was recalled from Hamilton of the American Hockey League after the game Tuesday. Dumont rotated at right wing with Christian Thomas on the fourth line Wednesday, but Therrien has not decided whether Dumont will play Thursday. Forward PA Parenteau (concussion) remains sidelined; he has not played since Jan. 15. The Canadiens are 8-3-0 in their past 11 regular-season games against the Rangers.

Rangers team scope: New York is 16-4-0 in its past 20 games but 6-9-1 against Eastern Conference teams currently in position for the Stanley Cup Playoffs following a 4-1 loss Tuesday to the New York Islanders. The Rangers begin a four-game homestand against the Canadiens. "They're definitely a team that likes to play a fast game," coach Alain Vigneault told BlueshirtsUnited.com. "Any team that wants to play fast has to manage the puck well. We're going to have to be better in that area [Thursday]." Vigneault did not commit to a lineup, but forward J.T. Miller and defenseman Matt Hunwick were extras at practice Wednesday, an indication each could sit with Lee Stempniak and John Moore returning. Forward Mats Zuccarello is under the weather but expected to play. Lundqvist, who will start Thursday, has made at least 30 saves in four straight appearances for the first time since Dec. 17-23, 2009. New York is 10-5-0 in its past 15 games against Montreal at Madison Square Garden.

Team Stats