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Habs in Pittsburgh

Montreal, winners of 4 in a row are back on the road after spending the last 17 days at home and what a way to start it off as they will play under the 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Banner tonight in the leagues oldest facility Mellon Arena. Montreal has an all time record of 45-30-13-2 in Pittsburgh PA and has won 3 of their last 4 meetings at the Mellon Arena all 4 of those games were decided by a single goal. Pittsburgh is wrapping up a 5 game home stand tonight in which they have out scored the opposition 13-8.

Wounded Russian Rearguards

Both the Canadiens and Penguins are without their number 1 defenseman, just last week Sergei Gonchar of the Penguins broke his wrist and will be out until late November while the Canadiens have been without Andrei Markov since the final minutes of the 1st game of the season and likely wont see him back until February at the earliest.

Goalies

Marc Andre Fleury (8-1-0) Is off to a fantastic start and looks to have an inside track on making team Canada as the #3 behind Luongo and Brodeur. Fleury had won his first seven starts before surrendering 4 goals to the Devils on Saturday night.

Jaroslav Halak ( 4-1-0) Win and you’re in. That is what was asked of him and that is what he has delivered. Halak lost his first start in Calgary but since that he has won 4 in a row making the big saves when needed.

Watch Out

Mike Camallarri – riding a 5 game point streak (5 goals 3 assists). Mike has 1 goal and 2 assists all time against Pittsburgh.

Evgeni Malkin – has scored in his last three games against the Canadiens and was held off the score sheet against the Devils. Malkin also has 7 goals and 11 assists in just 12 career games against the Canadiens.

Fun Facts
1. Halak is 22-6-1 all time at the Bell Centre but just 11-16-1 on the road.

2. Dan Bylsma is 2-0 as Penguins head coach against the Canadiens. Montreal won both games against the Pens prior to his take over last season.

CANADIENS (6-5-0) at PENGUINS (9-2-0)