In a division rivalry matchup, the Montreal Canadiens took to the Bell Centre ice to face off against the Ottawa Senators after two days off, looking for a win during their 20th game of the season.
Though much noise had been made over the last couple of days about Torrey Mitchell centering Max Pacioretty and Andrew Shaw, the Canadiens’ captain began the evening with two very familiar linemates, Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec.
The first frame started out with subdued action at both ends of the ice, as each team felt the other out, but Mark Borowiecki’s cross check on Gallagher in front of the Montreal bench would send the Habs to their first powerplay before four minutes could expire.