Boston @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 24, 2018 ) Boston 3, Montreal 2

The Montreal Canadiens look to complete a perfect three-game homestand and post their fourth straight victory at Bell Centre when they host the Original Six-rival Boston Bruins on Monday. Two of the Canadiens' triumphs during their home winning streak came against Ottawa, including Saturday's come-from-behind triumph.

Montreal trailed by a goal after 40 minutes before erupting for four in the third period to post its third 5-2 win over the Senators in 12 days and earn Claude Julien his 600th career coaching victory. Boston is hoping to avoid its second three-game losing streak of the month after dropping a 4-2 home decision to Buffalo on Sunday. The Bruins have lost four of their five contests on the road since registering a 3-2 triumph in Montreal on Nov. 24. David Backes, who scored a goal and set up another in that victory, notched an assist against the Sabres to pull within two of 300 for his career.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), TSN2, RDS (Montreal)

ABOUT THE BRUINS (17-12-4): David Krejci extended his point streak to six games on Sunday with his 23rd assist of the season, which ties him with Brad Marchand for the team lead. The 32-year-old Krejci has collected three goals and six assists during the run and is two points shy of 600 for his career. David Pastrnak, who tops the club with 39 points, had his five-game streak halted by the Sabres while Marchand's four-game run came to an end.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (17-11-5): Julien became the 18th coach in NHL history to reach the 600-win plateau and the fifth active one - joining Edmonton's Ken Hitchcock, Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders, Winnipeg's Paul Maurice and Toronto's Mike Babcock, but it is just a number for him at the moment. "When I'm sitting in my rocking chair looking back at my career, maybe I can look at those things, but right now, I still have the drive to keep going," he told reporters. "So those numbers aren't quite as important to me right now." Jeff Petry, who leads Montreal blue-liners with 25 points, has recorded four goals and three assists during his five-game point streak and is eight away from 200 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Canadiens RW Andrew Shaw is riding a seven-game point streak during which he has collected two goals and five assists.

2. Boston D Torey Krug, who has scored three goals and set up three others in his last five contests, needs two assists to reach 200 in the NHL.

3. Montreal captain Shea Weber scored his 30th career game-winning goal on Saturday, making him the fourth active defenseman to reach the mark (Dustin Byfuglien-36, Brent Burns-34 and Zdeno Chara-33).

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Bruins 3