MAPLE LEAFS (21-28-10) at CANADIENS (29-27-5)
TV: CBC, TVA Sports, CITY, NHL.TV
Season series: The Montreal Canadiens have won the first three games and can match their longest winning streak against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 99-year history of the NHL's oldest rivalry. Montreal forwards Max Pacioretty and Lars Eller scored in the shootout to give Montreal a 3-2 win at Air Canada Centre on Jan. 23, the Canadiens' ninth straight win against Toronto. Pacioretty has three goals and four points for the Canadiens, who had a 10-game winning streak against the Maple Leafs from Jan. 2 to Nov. 12, 1958.
Maple Leafs team scope: Toronto defenseman Matt Hunwick practiced Friday after missing the past four games with a lower-body injury. His return to the lineup will be decided after the morning skate. Forward Leo Komarov will return Saturday after serving a three-game suspension for elbowing Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers. Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said he missed everything about Komarov being out of the lineup. "He's a workhorse," Babcock told the Maple Leafs website after practice. "He plays with and without the puck, he's on the power play, he's on the penalty kill. He drives us energy-wise and on the forecheck and heavy play down low, and he's an important, important piece, so he and [Hunwick] are both hot and we need them both back." Goalie Jonathan Bernier, who made 30 saves in the Maple Leafs' 3-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, will start. Forward Milan Michalek took part in his first full practice Friday since he was acquired from the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 9. He hopes to return next week.
Canadiens team scope: Rookie goalie Mike Condon will make his fourth straight start. Coach Michel Therrien, who lost defensemen Jeff Petry and Tom Gilbert to season-ending injuries this week, said a forward and a defenseman will be called up from St. John's of the American Hockey League. Montreal comes off a 4-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. "We're an aggressive team, so nothing's going to change regarding that situation," Therrien said. "But one thing for sure, players have got to realize that we have a lack of experience on the back side and they need to get even more support for the defensemen, and I thought we did a really good job last game." Goalie Carey Price worked out on his own in full equipment for the first time in three months Friday. Price, who has been out since Nov. 25 with a lower-body injury, will not make the Canadiens' four-game road trip that begins against the San Jose Sharks on Monday. Defenseman Nathan Beaulieu will 2-3 weeks due to an upper-body injury he sustained Monday.
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