Panthers Continue Push For Playoffs Against Visiting Montreal
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SUNRISE (CBSMiami/AP) – The Florida Panthers have been battling through their injury problems, which includes both of their goaltenders.
The Montreal Canadiens lost their advantage in the Atlantic Division with a lack of scoring, though they can regain the top spot against the goalie-depleted Panthers.
The Canadiens look to avoid their seventh loss in nine games Tuesday night when they visit a Panthers team running out of chances in its bid to reach the postseason.
Montreal (43-20-7), which has owned at least a share of first place since Feb. 12, had a five-point advantage over Tampa Bay following a four-game winning streak March 1.
The Canadiens, however, fell back into a tie atop the Atlantic on Monday with their fourth straight loss in the season series, 4-2 at Tampa Bay. Both clubs have 93 points, but Montreal has played one fewer game.
"We started off slow," center Alex Galchenyuk said. "We didn't play a full 60 minutes and that cost us."
Tomas Plekanec and P.A. Parenteau supplied the team's only goals on 34 shots. The Canadiens dropped to 2-4-2 in eight games this month, totaling only 13 goals despite getting off 30 shots or more four times.
Parenteau, second on the team with 21 goals, snapped a 19-game drought Monday. Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher have scored 19 apiece, but only have three over their last 18 games combined.
The Canadiens aren't taking advantage of their power-play chances, going 2 for 23 over the last nine games. They're not going to have it any easier against Florida, which has killed 20 of 22 penalties in its past nine.
Vezina Trophy favorite Carey Price hasn't been able to make up for the goal shortage, allowing nine goals while going 1-2-0 in his last three starts. He's 4-0-1 with an 0.98 goals-against average in his last five versus Florida (31-24-14), but could give way to backup Dustin Tokarski in the second of a back-to-back.
Tokarski's only start since Feb. 18 came in such a situation, a 4-3 shootout loss to Los Angeles on March 5.
Florida's Dan Ellis has been pushed into duty because of injuries to Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya. There remains no timetable for Luongo, who has missed four games with an upper-body injury.
"(He's) getting closer," coach Gerard Gallant said. "Obviously when (Luongo) is ready, he wants to play. But (right now he's) just not ready."
Ellis is making the most of his opportunity, going 3-1-1 with a 1.95 GAA in five starts. He had a season-high 32 saves Sunday, but Brandon Pirri accounted for the only goal in a 2-1 road loss to the New York Rangers.
The Panthers had averaged 3.3 goals over their previous seven. They're 5-2-1 since veteran Jaromir Jagr joined the lineup following a trade with New Jersey, but still six points out of a wild-card spot with 13 games left.
"It's not over," Jagr said. "We have to win 11, 12 of the remaining games."
Three of those contests will be against the Canadiens, who have won four of five in South Florida after pulling out a 2-1 shootout win Dec. 30. Tokarski shined with 36 saves in that meeting, allowing only a Nick Bjugstad goal.
Gallagher had the lone tally for Montreal and then scored two more in a 3-2 shootout home loss Feb. 19.
The Canadiens' Torrey Mitchell (upper body) and Nathan Beaulieu (flu) are day to day, but Brian Flynn's status is uncertain after departing Monday with an upper-body injury.
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