Canadiens try to keep win streak going, host the Penguins

The Montreal Canadiens, currently on a four-game winning streak, prepare to host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Montreal Forum on Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT. This marks the teams' second meeting this season, with the Penguins emerging victorious in overtime during their previous matchup. The Canadiens boast an 8-3-2 overall record, including a 3-2-1 home record, while Pittsburgh sits at 5-6-2 overall, with a 1-5-1 road record. A key statistic is that Pittsburgh tends to lead in penalty minutes when playing away.

Montreal has conceded 38 goals while scoring 41, resulting in a +3 point differential. In contrast, Pittsburgh has allowed 3.3 goals per game and tallied 2.7 goals overall. Cole Caufield leads the Canadiens with eight goals and four assists over the past 10 games, while Nicholas Suzuki has contributed three goals and three assists. For the Penguins, Nicholas Robertson has four goals and three assists in their last 10 outings, and Evgeni Malkin has dropped in with four goals and three assists over the same span.

Recent seasons have seen the Canadiens and Penguins vie for control of their respective divisions. The Canadiens have a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 meetings, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.6 assists, and 4.8 penalties per game, while allowing 2.2 goals per contest. Pittsburgh's recent 3-5-2 record averages 2.7 goals, 4.6 assists, 2.8 penalties, and 6.1 penalties per game, with a higher goal allowance of 3.3 per game.

Injuries have affected both teams. Montreal's Mike Matheson, Ivan Demidov, Lucas Condotta, and Bryce Pickford are all day-to-day or out due to lower-body issues. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has Bryan Rust, Justin Brazeau, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Ryan Graves sidelined by lower-body injuries, with Evgeni Malkin listed as day-to-day due to illness, and Elmer Soderblom out with an upper-body injury.