Montreal, Quebec (My Sportsbook) - After ending a three-game losing streak Thursday, the
Toronto Maple Leafs hope to win their second straight tonight when they visit the
Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
The Leafs snapped the slide with a 5-3 victory over Phoenix at Air Canada Centre, marking their first home win of the season as well. Despite nearly blowing things with a poor third period, Toronto was able to hold on and earn goaltender Trevor Kidd his first triumph with the club.
Kidd finished with 27 saves in his fourth straight start in place of Ed Belfour, who has been sidelined with an infected finger. Eddie the Eagle is expected to dress this evening, and could make his way back into the lineup.
Shayne Corson scored twice, and Robert Svehla, Tomas Kaberle and Darcy Tucker tallied as well against Phoenix. Alexander Mogilny, who already has three goals this season, added a trio of assists.
The prime contribution from Corson's second line, which also includes Alyn McCauley and Mikael Renberg, was comforting considering the team had mostly relied on the top unit of Tucker, Mogilny and Mats Sundin through four games. That second group has already combined for nine goals and 17 assists in the young season.
Toronto heads back home after tonight to begin a seven-game homestand on Monday versus Boston. The set also includes visits from Florida, New York (Rangers), Anaheim, Atlanta, Montreal and Tampa Bay.
Montreal, meanwhile, hopes to build on Thursday's 3-2 victory in Detroit, which halted a two-game skid. Andreas Dackell, Saku Koivu and Andrei Markov scored to spoil the Wings' championship banner party, and backup goaltender Jeff Hackett was impressive with 30 saves.
Hackett started in place of Hart/Vezina winner Jose Theodore, who allowed a combined 12 goals in consecutive losses to Buffalo and Philadelphia.
Including tonight, Montreal plays four of its next five matches at the Bell Centre. The Habs welcome Pittsburgh to town on Friday.
Toronto went 2-0-3 against Montreal last season and is 10-2-3 in the last 15 meetings overall. The Leafs are, however, winless in their last three trips to Montreal (0-1-2).
