Preview: Rangers Head to Montreal to Take on Habs

The Rangers (27-28-5, 59 pts) at Canadiens (22-29-8, 52 pts)

7:30 pm; Bell Centre, Montreal

MSG 2; ESPN 1050 AM

The Rangers and Canadiens split the first two games of the regular season series, with the Habs victorious on Oct. 28 in Montreal following a Rangers victory on Oct. 8 at The Garden.
Montreal wrapped up a four-game losing streak that saw the Canadiens secure just one point in a 3-2 overtime loss Tuesday night in Philadelphia. The Canadiens have lost six in a row overall, and have scored three goals or less in four of those contests.
Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty lead the club with 35 points each, followed by Alex Galchenyuk's 34.
Goaltender Carey Price left Tuesday's game in Philadelphia with an injury following a shot to the mask and did not practice on Wednesday. Defenseman Shea Weber is out as well, while Andrew Shaw missed practice with the flu.
With Price's absence, Montreal recalled netminder Charlie Lindgren, as well as defenseman Noah Luulsen from Laval (AHL).

Players to Watch

O'Gara spoke on Wednesday about his excitement to joining the Rangers because of the opportunity he'll be given on the blueline. He'll get his first audition quick, as he'll be in the lineup and paired with John Gilmour.
Pacioretty has two assists in his last two games, but his production isn't where it was a season ago. The 29-year-old has 16 goals and 35 assists a season after posting 35 goals and 67 points. This season, he's a minus-16; last year he finished a plus-15.

Say What?

"It's no secret that there is [an opportunity]. There's time here to prove myself. If I can step in and play my game, get comfortable and play my game I think it'll help me a lot moving forward and hopefully solidify myself with the organization." - Rob O'Gara

Inside the Numbers

Four of the last five regular season meetings between New York and Montreal have been decided by two or fewer goals, and three of those contests have been decided by one goal. Including playoff games, 10 of the last 11 meetings between the Rangers and Canadiens have been decided by two or fewer goals, and six of those games have been decided by one goal.