Edmonton @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2018 ) Montreal 2, Edmonton 6

Montreal Canadiens coach Claude Julien liked everything he saw from his team in its first game back from the All-Star break and league-mandated bye - except the final result. After failing to hold a third-period lead in an overtime loss to New Jersey, the Canadiens look to get back on track when they resume their five-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers.

Julien lamented missed opportunities after his club registered a wide advantage in shots (39-27) in the 3-2 setback to drop to 5-1-1 in its last seven games. "I think it's pretty obvious we were the better team," Julien told reporters. "When you let a team get back into it because you don't finish your scoring chances, it often comes back to haunt you." The Oilers can relate to Julien's feelings, dominating the first two periods in Philadelphia on Saturday before coughing up a two-goal lead en route their fourth straight loss - a 5-4 overtime defeat. Edmonton has made itself at home at Bell Centre, improving to 6-1-0 in its last seven visits to Montreal following a 6-2 victory on Nov. 13.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, RDS

ABOUT THE OILERS (23-24-4): Although Edmonton received a short-handed tally from Zack Kassian that produced a two-goal lead early in the third period, the special teams were a disaster on Saturday, allowing four power-play goals. "We did a lot of good things, but the penalty kill's got to be better," defenseman Darnell Nurse told reporters. "Any time you give up four goals, you shoot yourself in the foot pretty good. As a penalty-killer myself, you can't be letting the guys down." Captain Connor McDavid, who reached 30 goals for the third straight season by scoring on Saturday, collected three points in Edmonton's visit to Montreal in November.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (28-18-6): Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the third overall pick in last year's draft, opened the scoring on Saturday with his third goal in seven games and seventh of the season, giving him 24 points - fourth among NHL rookies. "Definitely, it felt good," the 18-year-old Finn told reporters of the nine-day hiatus. "We had played so many games before the break, so a little break was good for that. Guys got a little rest so they could be more ready for the rest of the season." Carey Price, who served a one-game suspension for missing the All-Star Game, looks to win his fifth consecutive start on Sunday.

OVERTIME

1. Canadiens C Phillip Danault scored his ninth goal of the campaign on Saturday, eclipsing the career high he set last season.

2. Oilers G Mikko Koskinen is 6-5-1 with a 3.23 goals-against average away from home.

3. Montreal's 31st-ranked power play failed on all three of its opportunities on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Oilers 3