Game Preview: Canadiens (16-18-4) @ Panthers (16-16-5)

After coming up short in Raleigh and Tampa, the Canadiens will be looking for their first win of their three-game southern swing in their last game of 2017 when they face off against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on Saturday.

On Thursday, the Habs struck first against the Lightning on a second-period goal from Brendan Gallagher, but got into penalty trouble and dropped a 3-1 decision to Tampa Bay.
Carey Price was brilliant in net for the Canadiens, stopping 31 shots against a high-powered Lightning offense. He had turned in a 33-save performance the night before against the Hurricanes in Carolina.

Claude Julien noted at Friday's practice that No. 31 should be in nets to face the Panthers. David Schlemko, who missed the last two games with the flu, could also make a return to the blue line, but nothing has been confirmed yet. He re-joined his teammates in Florida on Thursday.

As for the Panthers, they are coming off a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in their first game back after the holidays on Thursday. It was their fourth straight win, after they beat the Coyotes, Wild, and Senators before the break.
James Reimer has started all four of those games; in fact, he has been the Panthers' starter in all but two games this month, posting a 6-3-3 record in December.
With four goals and eight assists, Vincent Trocheck leads all Panthers in points this month. Saint-Jerome native Jonathan Huberdeau is right behind him with 11 points (5G, 6A) in 13 games.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised on CBC, City, and TVA Sports, and will be on the radio on TSN 690 and 98,5 fm.