Carey Price once again looks like one of the NHL's top goaltenders after a slow start to the season.

His next assignment could be relatively easy against the Carolina Hurricanes, who are struggling to find the back of the net and will likely be without their top scorer.

Price looks to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a third straight victory tonight against visiting Carolina.

Catch all the action on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal starting at 6pm et.

The netminder made a season-high 44 saves in Montreal's 6-2 home win over Los Angeles on Friday. The Canadiens (19-10-2) had 20 shots for their worst shot differential in a win since being outshot 49-23 in a 3-2 overtime win at Toronto on Dec. 26, 2009, when Jaroslav Halak was in net. Montreal has been outshot in 10 of its victories, with Price in net eight times. He owns a 1.67 goals-against average in his 16 wins.

Price stifled the Kings until Jake Muzzin's goal 3:35 into the third period.

"He's a great goaltender and he has the ability to make great saves," said P.K. Subban, who had a goal and two assists. "It's not a surprise to us seeing him do that but to be able to see him do it against one of the best teams in the league, that's what we need."

Price has posted a 1.94 GAA in his last 14 starts after recording a 2.94 mark in his first 11.

"Price is priceless. You don't see a goaltender like him every day," Jiri Sekac, who had two goals, told the team's official website. "I've been around. I've played in the Finals in the KHL. I've played in World Championships. But I've never seen a goalie like that. He's amazing. He's good every game. He's consistent."

Price is 6-2-1 with a 1.75 GAA in his last nine home starts against Carolina, including two shutouts in the last four.

The Hurricanes (8-18-3) are tied with Edmonton for the league's fewest points and have exactly one goal in each of their five straight losses. They outshot Philadelphia 26-23 in Sunday's 5-1 loss, but the issue has been quality not quantity since Carolina has outshot its opponent in every game during the skid.

"I don't think our execution was very good," said Eric Staal, who snapped Carolina's 0-for-14 power-play slump with a second-period goal. "Obviously, it's been frustrating. We've played some good hockey before tonight, but tonight not good enough all around anywhere."

Jiri Tlusty, who has a team-best 10 goals, didn't play due to an upper-body injury and is expected to be sidelined Tuesday after not practicing Monday.

Elias Lindholm, who is tied for second on the club with seven goals, doesn't have a point during the five-game skid.

Carolina has also struggled on the penalty kill lately, giving up three power-play goals on five chances in three games after holding opponents scoreless on 15 opportunities in the previous seven.

"We have to compete, have to be better defensively, have to manage the puck, have to move the puck better and that'll give us a better chance," coach Bill Peters said.

The Canadiens have won five of six in the series and six of seven at home. Max Pacioretty has four two-point performances in his last six meetings.

 

Game Notes:

MTL was 2-0-1 vs CAR last season
MTL has gone 5-0-1 past 6 vs CAR

MTL (19-10-2):
won 2 straight, both at home, 3GA, 7/7 on PK
11-0-0 when scoring first
Plekanec (1G, 3A) 4 game PT streak

CAR (8-18-3):
lost 5 straight, 1GF in each game, 1/15 on PP
1-5-0 past 6 on road, 7GF at even strength
E Staal (1G, 0A) past 6 games