The Ottawa Senators and visiting Montreal Canadiens look to snap three-game losing streaks when they return from the Four Nations break on Saturday night.
The Senators, who hold the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, open a three-game homestand against the Canadiens. They have a 16-7-2 record at home.
Tim Stutzle, the Senators’ leader with 39 assists and 56 points in 56 games this season, comes into Saturday’s action on an eight-game point streak (two goals and nine assists).
The German forward spent the week of practice honing areas of his game in preparation for the stretch run.
«We’re still working on those little details and I think (coach Travis Green) has done a great job of trying to help me get better every day,» Stutzle said. «For me, it’s been a pleasure working with these guys and trying to get me better. I think that’s the biggest key for me and I think if I can improve my game, that’s going to help us win more games.»
Goaltender Linus Ullmark, who made just one appearance for Sweden in the Four Nations matchup, is 12-9-2 with a .915 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average in 25 games this season.
In six career appearances against the Canadiens, Ullmark is 3-2-0 with a .890 save percentage and a 2.86 GAA.
Saturday will be the second of four meetings between the teams this season. The Canadiens won the opener 4-1 in Montreal on Oct. 12.
Montreal, 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, has just two wins in its last 10 games (2-7-1) and is 12-14-1 on the road this season.
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis has used this week’s practice days to shore up the team’s defensive play.
«We have to be alert. All the players have to be in shape. We’re a five-man unit,» said defenceman Arber Xhekaj. «If one player loses his man or gets off track, it’s all messed up. We have to be mentally alert and ready.»
Xhekaj admitted the team’s defensive play had slipped before the break. Montreal allowed a total of 15 goals in its three losses.
«I think a little bit. I think we got a little bit out of control,» he said. «We have to get better and everything will be fine.»
Captain Nick Suzuki has a team-leading 52 points in 56 games, while Cole Caufield leads the Canadiens with 26 goals in 56 games.
Goaltender Jakub Dobes allowed three goals on eight shots before being replaced by Sam Montembeault in the Canadiens’ 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning before the 4 Nations Tournament break.
Dobes is 5-2-1 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.71 GAA in nine starts this season.
Montembeault, 18-21-3 in 42 games this season, returns to the Canadiens after serving as Team Canada’s backup goaltender at the 4 Nations Showdown.
The two teams will meet again in Montreal on March 18 before concluding the season series on April 11 in Ottawa.