The Canadiens are 7-3-1 since beginning 1-6-1, their worst start to a season since 1941-42 (1-10-1), but have scored three goals in their past three games (1-1-1). The Coyotes have lost five straight games (0-3-2) and remain the only NHL team without a regulation win.
Players to watch
Coyotes forward Clayton Keller leads NHL rookies with 17 points (11 goals, six assists) but has none in his past four games. Rookie goaltender Charlie Lindgren will make his sixth straight start for the Canadiens. He is 3-1-1 with a 1.39 goals-against average, .957 save percentage and one shutout.
They said it
"He's starting to get the best defensive guys against him right now. He's not really surprising the League so we've got to try to find him some help and he's got to stick with it too, you know. You can't get frustrated." -- Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet about 19-year-old forward Clayton Keller "Their record isn't where they want to be, but they have capable players there of being dangerous and guys you have to be aware of. And the minute you think you're too good to play someone in this league is the minute you're going to be humbled. It's important for us to understand that there was a time this year where we weren't putting together wins." -- Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher
The Coyotes held an optional morning skate at Bell Centre. ... Price did not skate for a third straight day.
Stat pack
The Coyotes have scored the first goal in 13 of 20 games, tied for the most in the League. ... Pacioretty has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his past nine games.
