NJD@MTL: Five things you need to know

MONTREAL - Here are five things you need to know ahead of Thursday night's game against the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre.

1. The Canadiens are coming off a crushing 8-1 loss at the hands of the archrival Boston Bruins. Although the score was even for much of the first period, Boston took the lead with 5:36 to go in the opening frame and never looked back. The last time the Habs allowed eight goals against was in an 8-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks back in March. Carey Price was pulled in favor of Keith Kinkaid early in the second period; it was the first time the Canadiens' netminder had been yanked in 112 games.

2. On a bright note, captain Shea Weber scored in the first period against the Bruins to even the score at 1-1, adding to an impressive haul for November. Weber leads the Canadiens with six goals this month and is tied for the team lead in points with Tomas Tatar with 10 apiece. The Sicamous, BC native is one of 12 defensemen to record 10 or more points in November across the League.

3. The Habs were back at practice at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard on Wednesday, and head coach Claude Julien featured the same lines he rolled with in the 8-1 decision the night before. On Thursday, the Habs bench boss opted for an optional morning skate in which 10 skaters plus goalie Keith Kinkaid took part. Following the skate, Julien announced that Price would get the start in goal. He said there might be some minor changes coming to his lineup, but those decisions would be taken closer to puck drop.

4. Speaking of the Devils, they're coming off a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night at home. They've posted a 6-6-1 record in November and currently sit in second-last place in the Eastern Conference. Forward Taylor Hall leads New Jersey with 12 points (3G, 9A) in November, and is his team's overall points leader with 21 (4G, 17A) in 2019-20. Kyle Palmieri (15 points) and Nico Hischier (13 points) are next. Mackenzie Blackwood gets the start in goal for New Jersey.
5. Exceptionally, puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Fans in attendance can take advantage of the Canadiens' Black Friday offer, where all items at Tricolore Sports are 25%-50% off except for jerseys and the CHic collection. You can catch all the action on Sportsnet and RDS on television, and on TSN 690 and 98,5 fm on the radio. For tickets,
click here
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