Montreal @ Anaheim preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 5, 2019 ) Anaheim 1, Montreal 4

The Montreal Canadiens wasted an opportunity to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference wild-card race last time out. They get another chance to do so right away as they conclude their three-game trek through California on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks.

Montreal topped Los Angeles on Tuesday in the opener of its trip but dropped a 5-2 decision in San Jose two nights later, remaining even in points with Carolina (two games in hand) for the two wild cards and two ahead of Columbus (one game in hand). Artturi Lehkonen and Andrew Shaw scored for the Canadiens, who had won three straight on the road. Anaheim was on its way to a third consecutive victory on Wednesday before allowing two goals in a 12-second span late in the third period en route to a 5-4 home loss to St. Louis. Defenseman Jaycob Megna netted his first NHL tally and added an assist for the Ducks, who are in the midst of a stretch during which they play seven of nine games at Honda Center.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), FS West (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (36-25-7): Lehkonen's goal versus the Sharks was his first since Dec. 28, ending his 29-game drought. The 23-year-old Finn also had gone 15 contests without a point since notching an assist on Feb. 2 against New Jersey. Max Domi continued his career season on Thursday as he set up a tally for his team-leading 60th point, marking the first time he has reached the plateau in the NHL.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (26-33-9): Jakob Silfverberg has been wielding a hot stick of late as he has registered two goals and three assists over his last three games. The 28-year-old Swede, who leads the team in tallies and is two shy of his third career 20-goal season, had been kept off the scoresheet in each of his previous five contests. Cam Fowler is tied with Scott Niedermayer (264) for most points by a defenseman in franchise history after notching an assist on Wednesday and will pass Paul Kariya (606) for fifth place on the Ducks' all-time list for games played with his next appearance.

OVERTIME

1. Ducks RW Troy Terry notched three assists in the loss to St. Louis to become the team's first rookie to accomplish the feat since Fowler on Jan. 7, 2011 against Columbus.

2. Montreal RW Brendan Gallagher had his four-game goal-scoring streak halted on Thursday, keeping him one shy of matching the career high of 31 he recorded last season.

3. Anaheim LW Nick Ritchie ended his eight-game goal-scoring drought on Wednesday after missing the team's previous two contests with a lower-body injury.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Ducks 1