CANADIENS (38-21-8) at FLAMES (36-26-4)
9 p.m. ET; SNW, SNE, RDS, NHL.TV
Canadiens team scope
The Montreal Canadiens will go for their seventh consecutive victory. Forward Tomas Plekanec will miss his second straight game because of an upper-body injury. "We're continuing to see progress with his upper-body injury," coach Claude Julien told the Canadiens website Wednesday. "I think we'll see him back skating again soon and then we can figure out where we're headed with him." The Canadiens lead the Ottawa Senators by four points in the Atlantic Division and are 7-2-0 since Julien replaced Michel Therrien Feb. 14. "You have your ups and downs during the season, but right now the guys are feeling good about their game," Julien said. "I like the way we're competing right now. We're really working hard. Our skating game is where it should be. There's still some things we're working on, trying to get better at. When you're heading in that direction it's certainly encouraging for everybody." Goaltender Carey Price, who is expected to start, has allowed five goals in his past five games. "I just think we're playing better … everybody is," he said Wednesday. "I can't put a thumb on it. We've responded well to the change."
Flames team scope
The Calgary Flames are looking to extend their season-high winning streak to eight games. They're can pass the Anaheim Ducks for third place in the Pacific Division with a victory and a Ducks loss in regulation at the Chicago Blackhawks. "We didn't have a lot of belief," coach Glen Gulutzan said. "When we won a few games in overtime, a couple of comebacks, that stuff starts to snowball. Our team has a lot more confidence than it did." Captain Mark Giordano said the Flames need to focus on one game, not what they've done previously. "Anytime you're in one of these streaks you don't want it to end," he said. "For us, we're just honestly trying to put the seven games aside and look at these two points tonight." Calgary is 12-2-1 since losing 5-1 at Montreal on Jan. 24. "We've gone on a run here and we haven't gotten into trouble, because when we do get down we're sticking with our game plan and we've got to continue that," Giordano said. Goalie Brian Elliott will start; he's 7-0-1 while allowing 16 goals in his past eight games. "He's been really good," Gulutzan said. "He's found his groove. From our perspective he's worked hard all year. He's a great pro and he's getting rewarded for that work."
Canadiens projected lineup
Max Pacioretty -- Phillip Danault -- Brendan Gallagher
Dwight King -- Alex Galchenyuk -- Artturi Lehkonen
Paul Byron -- Torrey Mitchell -- Andrew Shaw
Andreas Martinsen -- Steve Ott -- Michael McCarron
Brandon Davidson -- Jeff Petry
Nathan Beaulieu -- Jordie Benn
Carey Price
Scratched: Nikita Nesterov, Alexei Emelin
Injured: Alexander Radulov (lower body), Tomas Plekanec (upper body), Brian Flynn (upper body)
Flames projected lineup
Johnny Gaudreau -- Sean Monahan -- Micheal Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk -- Mikael Backlund -- Michael Frolik
Kris Versteeg -- Sam Bennett -- Troy Brouwer
Lance Bouma -- Matt Stajan -- Alex Chiasson
Mark Giordano -- Dougie Hamilton
Matt Bartkowski -- Deryk Engelland
Brian Elliott
Scratched: Curtis Lazar, Freddie Hamilton, Dennis Wideman
Injured: None
Status report
The Canadiens did not have a morning skate; the Flames held an optional skate. … Radulov was expected to be re-evaluated Thursday. He has missed the past two games. Flynn sustained an upper-body injury during a 2-1 overtime win at the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday and is doubtful. McCarron is expected to take his spot in the lineup. … The Flames are expected to use the same lineup for the eighth straight game.
Who's hot
Pacioretty has 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in his past 12 games. … Backlund has eight points (five goals, three assists) in his past seven games.
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