MTL@BUF: Five things you need to know

BUFFALO - Here are five things you need to know ahead of the Canadiens' game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.

1. The Canadiens currently find themselves on a two-game losing streak. After falling to the Washington Capitals in overtime on Monday, Claude Julien's troops lost their second game of the week on Wednesday to the Devils in New Jersey. They have allowed 10 goals during that span.
2. Forward Max Domi continues to etch his name all over the Canadiens' storied record books. With a goal in Newark on Wednesday, the 23-year-old center extended his points streak to 11 games, becoming the first Habs player to hit an 11-game streak since Pierre Turgeon did it in 1995. Meanwhile, with a goal and an assist in Newark, Jonathan Drouin now has five points in his last four games. The Sainte-Agathe native has 19 points in 22 games so far this season.

3. Antti Niemi will be between the pipes for the game on Friday. The 35-year-old netminder played his last game back on November 13 in Edmonton, a 6-2 loss to the Oilers. Despite the result, the Finnish backstop has put in some strong efforts this season and has a 4-2-0 record to show for it. Among skaters, head coach Claude Julien announced on Friday that Matthew Peca will return to the lineup in place of Charles Hudon up front. On the backend, Karl Alzner will draw in along with Brett Kulak, who will be making his Canadiens debut. Xavier Ouellet and Mike Reilly are the scratches on defense.

4. The Sabres are the team of the hour right now in the NHL, having won an impressive seven straight games. Goaltender Carter Hutton has won a career-high six straight games during that span. Captain Jack Eichel leads his team with 25 points (5G, 20A) this season, with Jeff Skinner next at 23 (15G, 8A) in 22 games.
5. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Buffalo's KeyBank Center. The game will be televised on RDS and TSN2, and will be on the radio on TSN 690 and 98,5 fm.