Preview: Canadiens at Kings

CANADIENS (16-6-2) at KINGS (13-10-1)
3 p.m. ET; FS-W, SNE, RDS, NHL.TV

Canadiens team scope

After a 13-1-1 start, the Montreal Canadiens are 3-5-1 in their past nine games and 1-5-0 in their past six road games. Montreal has lost twice in California this week and scored one goal in each game. At the Anaheim Ducks and at the San Jose Sharks, the Canadiens fell behind 2-0 before scoring late. "We've got to find ways to put pucks in the net," forward Brendan Gallagher said after the game Friday. "I don't know what it is, but whatever it is, we need to bear down in front of the net and put pucks in." Montreal hasn't scored more than three goals since Nov. 12. Forward Alexander Radulov left the game Friday after a high stick cut his forehead above his right eye. Radulov got stitches, but practiced Saturday and expects to play.

Kings team scope

The Los Angeles Kings have won six of the past seven games and have protected home ice, going 9-3-0 at Staples Center. Los Angeles will face a team that doesn't give up many goals; Montreal's 51 allowed are tied for the fourth-fewest in the NHL. "They've got, for sure, the best goaltender in the world," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said of Carey Price. "Best goaltender in the world in any situation, and that's a big challenge." Kings captain Anze Kopitar has two goals in 19 games and needs one to tie Wayne Gretzky for sixth on the Kings' all-time list. "It's not just about points for [Kopitar]," Sutter said. "Those guys who play with [Kopitar] -- you remember, you're playing against the other team's best players -- so you've got to produce. That's the challenge of playing with [Kopitar]: You're on the ice against better players all the time."
Canadiens projected lineup
Max Pacioretty -- Alex Galchenyuk -- Alexander Radulov
Artturi Lehkonen -- Tomas Plekanec -- Brendan Gallagher
Paul Byron -- David Desharnais -- Andrew Shaw
Phillip Danault -- Torrey Mitchell -- Brian Flynn
Alexei Emelin -- Shea Weber
Andrei Markov -- Jeff Petry
Mark Barberio -- Greg Pateryn
Carey Price
Al Montoya
Scratched:Zach Redmond, Daniel Carr
Injured:Nathan Beaulieu (neck), Charles Hudon (sternum)

Kings projected lineup

Marian Gaborik -- Anze Kopitar -- Trevor Lewis
Tanner Pearson -- Jeff Carter -- Tyler Toffoli
Dustin Brown -- Nic Dowd -- Devin Setoguchi
Kyle Clifford -- Nicholas Shore -- Andy Andreoff
Derek Forbort -- Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin -- Alec Martinez
Kevin Gravel -- Matt Greene
Peter Budaj
Jeff Zatkoff
Scratched: Teddy Purcell, Dwight King, Tom Gilbert
Injured: Andy Andreoff (thumb), Brayden McNabb (collarbone), Jonathan Quick (groin)

Status report

The Kings placed Purcell on waivers. Purcell said a conditioning assignment is not an option. … Andreoff is nearing a return from thumb surgery. He likely will be activated in the next few days but will not play Sunday. … McNabb skated with the Kings on Saturday but said he will be out at least another month. … King is away with his wife for the birth of their child. … Despite in-game lineup changes Friday, the Canadiens didn't make any changes at practice Saturday.

Who's hot

Carter became the first player in Kings history to score four game-winning goals in a five-game span, according to Elias Sports Bureau. He has eight points in seven games. … Nolan scored his first two goals of the season in a 4-3 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. … Martinez has three goals and two assists in the past seven games. … Galchenyuk has five points in six games. … Price has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his past six starts.