Anaheim @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 8, 2019 ) Montreal 2, Anaheim 8

If the Montreal Canadiens can go on a run and contend for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Tuesday's dramatic victory in New Jersey will be looked upon as a turning point in the season. The Canadiens vie for their eighth victory in 11 contests when they open a three-game homestand against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night.

Despite the absence of No. 1 netminder Carey Price (flu), Montreal erased an early three-goal deficit in a 5-4 shootout win to stay within eight points of the second wild card. "We didn't give up, and all the guys here are trying to do something special," said Ilya Kovalchuk, who scored the deciding goal in the shootout. "I think that comeback will build a lot of confidence for our home games. We have to play way better at home." Indeed, the Canadiens are a dismal 11-14-4 at Bell Centre entering the matchup versus Anaheim, which opened its five-game road trip with wins over Los Angeles and Ottawa. "We were very lucky," coach Dallas Eakins said after the Ducks squeezed out a 3-2 shootout victory over the Senators. "I'm not sure we got what we deserved."

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: Prime Ticket, RDS, TSN2

ABOUT THE DUCKS (22-26-5): Despite five wins in its last seven games, Anaheim sits in seventh place in the Pacific Division and is lagging 11 points behind Calgary for the final postseason slot. Forward Ondrej Kase, who scored 20 goals in 2017-18 before dipping to 11 last season as injuries limited him to 30 games, notched only his seventh tally before also scoring in the shootout against Ottawa. Rickard Rakell, a two-time 30-goal scorer who notched the shootout game-winner Tuesday, has four goals in 10 games versus Montreal.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (25-23-7): Joel Armia set a personal milestone with a short-handed goal at New Jersey, increasing his season total to 14 and eclipsing his previous high established with Montreal a year ago. Armia was an ongoing presence in the latest victory, recording three shots on goal, three hits and four takeaways. "He's strong and he protects the puck well. He has good hands and a good shot. He has all the qualities in the world," coach Claude Julien said. "I think he's gaining confidence in every aspect of the game."

OVERTIME

1. Canadiens F Tomas Tatar collected an assist Tuesday to run his point streak to five games and reach 50 points for the season.

2. Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, stuck in a 10-game goal rut, has 11 points in 15 meetings versus the Canadiens.

3. The home team has won the past nine meetings in the series.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Ducks 2