The Canadiens are 0-2-1 since they defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Feb. 7, including a 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. They hold the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference with 69 points and a game in hand on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Goalie James Reimer will start for the Panthers. He made a season-high 41 saves in a 3-2 shootout victory against the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Florida is 12 points behind Carolina for the second wild card from the East.
Players to watch
Canadiens goalie Antti Niemi made an NHL career high 52 saves in a 5-1 victory against the Panthers on Jan. 15. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in his past 18 games. He leads Florida in points (53) and even-strength points (34).
They said it
"We felt like we were in a good spot. It was a pretty even game, but we kind of felt that we had some pretty good jump. But they came out in the third and outplayed us pretty badly. It was a good lesson for our group." -- Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher after the 3-0 loss at Tampa Bay on Saturday "His compete and his battle was great last game. He's had some real good stretches here in the last couple of weeks." -- Panthers coach Bob Boughner on goalie James Reimer
The Canadiens did not have a morning skate. … Drouin is expected to play his 300th NHL game. … Luongo is away from the Panthers on beravement leave. Montembeault was recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League.
Stat pack
Drouin has no points in his past three games after having nine points (three goals, six assists) in his previous three. … Huberdeau has two assists in his past seven games. … Florida's power play, ranked third in the NHL (25.8 percent), is 0-for-9 in its past three games.
