(Sports Network) - The Detroit Red Wings will try to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season this evening, when they visit the Montreal Canadiens and Bell Centre.
Detroit has lost consecutive games for the third time this season and is looking to avoid matching the season-worst three-game skid it endured from October 17-24.
The Red Wings lost the final two games of their four-game homestand (2-1-1), falling to Dallas on Wednesday before last night's 2-1 overtime setback to Florida. The Panthers' Bryan McCabe scored 40 seconds into the extra frame with a one-timer from the right circle.
"I didn't see the pass. There were a couple of guys in front of me," said Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood. "It's a shot where you have to take away the far side. [McCabe] made a nice shot."
Osgood returned after missing the last three games with the flu and made 18 saves. Pavel Datsyuk notched his fifth goal of the season and third in five games.
Detroit plays its next two on the road, where it is 3-4-2 this season.
The Canadiens come into this contest aiming to win three straight games for only the second time this season. Last night's 3-2 victory over Washington has Montreal looking for its longest winning streak since a season-best four consecutive wins from October 20-26.
Carey Price made 32 saves versus the Capitals and helped the Canadiens survive a late 6-on-4 disadvantage. Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec each had a goal and an assist, while Travis Moen also lit the lamp.
Moen, though, suffered an undisclosed injury, while Scott Gomez sustained a lower-body ailment in the game. The club is already without Brian Gionta due to a broken left foot.
However, Ryan O'Byrne played for the first time in 20 games after missing time with a lower-body injury, while Georges Laraque had missed the last 13 contests with an upper-body injury before returning last night.
Montreal will play four of its next five games at home, where it is 6-5-0 this season.
The Canadiens have won three of their last five meetings with the Red Wings, but have dropped three of their last four at home to the club.