Nashville @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 10, 2018 ) Nashville 3, Montreal 2

Carey Price's return to the lineup was a tremendous one, and he hopes for a repeat performance when the Montreal Canadiens continue their three-game homestand Saturday against the Nashville Predators. Price, who missed three contests with a lower-body injury, made 33 saves in Thursday's win over Vancouver for his 42nd career shutout.

Price, who hadn't played since Dec. 22, received offensive support from Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Jordie Benn as Montreal began its homestand with its fifth victory in six overall games. Drouin's goal was his 13th in 41 contests this season, matching his total over 77 games in 2017-18 - his first campaign with the Canadiens. Nashville has lost 11 of its last 12 road contests (1-8-3) and seven of nine overall (2-5-2) after falling 4-3 in overtime at Detroit on Friday. Ryan Johansen increased his team-leading point total to 36 with his eighth goal of the season and second in three games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), Sportsnet360, Sportsnet East, TVA, CITY (Montreal)

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (24-15-3): Phillip Di Giuseppe made his team debut on Friday after being claimed off waivers from Carolina three days earlier, registering two shots and blocking a team high-tying three in 11 minutes, 48 seconds of ice time. The 25-year-old left wing had recorded one goal and three assists in 21 games with the Hurricanes this season. Craig Smith, who has tallied in back-to-back contests, is riding a four-game point streak during which he also has notched two goals and two assists.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (22-14-5): Joel Armia also made a solid return to the lineup on Thursday, notching an assist to give him four points over his last five games. The 25-year-old Finnish right wing had missed 25 contests with a knee injury. Price is four shutouts away from tying Hall-of-Famer Ken Dryden for third place on the franchise list.

OVERTIME

1. Canadiens C Max Domi, who leads the team with 38 points, has notched at least one assist in four of his last five games.

2. Nashville D P.K. Subban is two assists shy of 300 for his career.

3. Montreal has scored first in each of its last seven contests.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Predators 2