The Montreal Canadiens (8-2-0) will face off against the Vancouver Canucks (6-3-0) in Vancouver tonight, according to the NHL. It will mark the teams' first meeting this season.
Montreal dominated last season's two-game series, taking both and outscoring the Canucks 9-3 overall. The Canucks have won three of their last four and the Canadiens are looking to close out their current road trip strong after splitting the first two games.
Earlier today, Canucks GM Jim Benning admitted that faster teams have given his squad problems - a not-so-positive revelation considering all the speed the Canadiens will be bringing with them to Rogers Arena tonight.
"I think when we play fast teams, we've got to be smarter through the neutral zone, we've got to keep our positioning better," Benning told TSN 1040 radio this morning, NBCSports reports.
The Canucks have lost three games this season, all to teams noted for their speed - the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.
"The big, strong teams, we haven't had a problem playing them so far, because we have the skill to move the puck and skate. But the teams that come through the neutral zone with a lot of speed, so far have given us problems.
"I talked to [coach Willie Desjardins] yesterday, and he's aware of that. He's doing things in practice to try and combat that."
Desjardins will most likely attempt to employ some type of neutral zone clogging trap, something the Canucks found success with against the Washington Capitals.
Otherwise, the Canadiens forwards, led by Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec, will feast on the Canucks lead-footed defenseman.
For the Canucks, they'll look for their top line of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Radim Vrbata to keep rolling right along. Combined, the trio has 11 goals and 22 assists already this season.
Vrbata's tough play in the corners and strong, right-handed shot has fit in perfectly with the Sedin twins and their deadly cycle game.
Ryan Miller, who recently recorded his 300th career NHL win, will make the start in goal for the Canucks. Carey Price will man the pipes for the Canadiens. He has allowed only five goals in his last four games after giving up 14 in the first four.
