RECAP:
The Ottawa Senators kept it simple in a shootout against Vesa Toskala and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Rather than trying to deke the goalie, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson beat Toskala with shots to give Ottawa a 2-1 victory on Thursday night in a game overshadowed by the Maple Leafs reaching a deal with former Anaheim GM Brian Burke
Michael Cammalleri thanked Jarome Iginla for his first career hat trick - and Curtis Glencross for making it worth celebrating.
Cammalleri scored three times - the last two on perfect passes from new linemate Iginla - and Glencross added the winner on a breakaway with 6:31 left in the Calgary Flames' 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.
VANCOUVER NOW IS 2-1 AGAINST CALGARY.
THEY PLAY AGAIN SATURDAY WHERE THE FALMES WILL TRY TO TIE IT UP.
THIS IS WHAT I LIKE TONIGHT
Montreal (12-5-0-4) at Washington (12-7-1-2)
With seven key players out, the Washington Capitals may not be able to hold onto their lead in the Southeast Division. Reigning league MVP Alex Ovechkin is doing his best to make sure that doesn't happen.
Coming off his best performance of the season, Ovechkin looks to help the Capitals win seven straight at home for the first time in eight years on Friday when they meet the Montreal Canadiens.
Alexander Semin (back), Mike Green (shoulder) and Sergei Fedorov (ankle) have been sidelined, and on Monday, Chris Clark (stress fracture of forearm), Jeff Schultz (broken finger), Boyd Gordon (back) and John Erskine (undisclosed) were all injured.
Those seven players sat out Wednesday's game against Atlanta, but they weren't needed as Ovechkin had his sixth career hat trick and added an assist to lead the Capitals to a 5-3 victory.
Washington has won six in a row at home and is 8-0-1 there this season. The Capitals haven't won seven consecutive home games since Nov. 17-Dec. 16, 2000.
Ovechkin has 10 goals and 14 assists in 12 games this month after missing two contests while visiting his ailing grandfather in Russia. He has 21 points during a nine-game streak and is third in the NHL with 29.
"When he's on, it sure makes it difficult to stop," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said.
Ovechkin was on in his last game against Montreal (12-5-4), scoring a career high-tying four times - including in overtime - and adding an assist in a 5-4 win Jan. 31. He has 16 points in 12 appearances versus the Canadiens.
Montreal avoided a third straight loss Wednesday with a 3-1 road victory over defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit. Utilizing a neutral zone trap, the Canadiens clogged up the Red Wings' high-powered offense, which came in averaging 3.75 goals per game.
They also held Detroit's league-best power-play unit (31.8 percent) to no goals in three opportunities.
"They're a team that likes to control the puck," Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau said. "Just tried to play as tough as we can in the neutral zone and make them dump it in."
The Canadiens may want to employ the same strategy against Washington, which is averaging 3.36 goals a game - 3.78 at home.
The Capitals scored 12 times as these teams split four meetings in 2007-08. Montreal's Carey Price made just one start against Washington last season and allowed five goals - two to Ovechkin - in a 5-4 overtime loss on Jan. 5.
Price lost his shutout bid with 6:29 left Wednesday, when he held an opponent to two goals or fewer for the sixth straight time.
"It's tough, but two points is more important," Price said.
Home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Capitals are 7-1 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Capitals are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Capitals are 21-7 in their last 28 games playing on 1 days rest.
Capitals are 19-7 in their last 26 home games.
Capitals are 18-7 in their last 25 games following a win.
Capitals are 14-6 in their last 20 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
PICK: WAS
JUST THE ONE PLAY TONIGHT GUYS
I'VE BEEN WAY TOO LOOSE LATELY
GL TONIGHT
WE HAVE A FEW EARLY GAMES TODAY
ALWAYS A GOOD DAY WHEN YOU CAN BET AT WORK
ANY COMMENTS?