(SportsNetwork.com) – The Montreal Canadiens close out a three-game swing
through Western Canada on Thursday night as they try to slow down the
Vancouver Canucks.
The Canadiens lost the opener of the trek 3-0 to Edmonton on Monday, but
bounced back to beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 in a shootout the following night.
Tom Gilbert scored a game-tying goal and P.A. Parenteau had the lone shootout
tally. As Montreal’s third shooter, Parenteau skated in with his head up all
the way and beat Jonas Hiller stick side with a wrist shot for the win.
“We’re showing that we can come back and don’t get discouraged if we don’t get
the first goal,” said Parenteau.
Carey Price was spectacular in net, making 37 saves for Montreal, which
improved to 8-2-0 on the season and ended a seven-game losing streak to the
Flames in Calgary.
Price has won each of his last five starts and has given up just five goals in
his past four games. He got the night off in the loss to the Oilers.
The Canucks are trying to keep their recent hot stretch going, having won
three of four. They topped the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Tuesday, with Ryan
Miller making 29 saves for his 300th career win.
Miller had a shutout bid spoiled on a late goal with 8:55 to play, but seemed
to be pleased with reaching the milestone.
“It means I have been playing a while,” Miller told NHL.com. “It feels good.
It’s a collection of a lot of good teams and a lot of good players over the
years. I will take a little moment to reflect. It’s been a lot of fun. Winning
is fun. I’ve got to do it quite a bit with some good guys. I will try to enjoy
it. This win with this group feels good.”
Brad Richardson scored twice, his first 1:32 into the game, while Linden Vey
and Jannik Hansen added goals.
The Canucks have lost three in a row to the Canadiens, with the Habs going
6-0-1 in the last seven meetings overall.
Montreal has won three straight in Vancouver, where it has not lost since Oct.
7, 2009.
