The set-up: The 8-6-1 Detroit Red Wings are looking to accomplish something no other team has this season on Saturday night. That is, beat the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens improved to 9-0-0 at home this season following an impressive 4-1 win over the LA Kings on Thursday. Montreal limited the Kings to just 24 shots, the second time this season it held an opponent to fewer than 28 shots on goal. Meanwhile, Detroit is coming off a 3-1 home win over the Vancouver Canucks, aided greatly by another strong outing from goaltender Jimmy Howard. The Red Wings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period but Howard had to be sharp, facing 37 shots on the night, the fourth time in seven games he's made at least 30 saves.

Detroit: It's been a bounce-back season early on for veteran netminder Howard, who started the season as Petr Mrazek's back-up. Howard's gotten the nod from coach Jeff Blashill in three straight and is expected to do the same against Montreal. "Jimmy looked solid again. He doesn't give up and he isn't spitting out rebounds," Blashill told reporters after the game. "He's controlling the rebounds and the puck is going to him. Economical is a good word," he added. "He's been real economical in his movement, and when goalies are playing well, they under-move, they don't over-move." The numbers speak for themselves, as Howard is 4-20 with a 1.22 GAA and .961 save percentage.

Montreal: There were some who argued that Montreal played its best game of the season on Thursday, so the Canadiens earned getting Friday off and will host Detroit before flying off to Chicago for a tilt with the Blackhawks on Sunday. Coach Michel Therrien is often reluctant to change a winning lineup and given how well his team played against Los Angeles, he will probably keep his 20-man group intact.That group includes a balanced attack, which saw three of its four forward lines contribute to the win. Corey Price is now 9-0-0 on the season, posting a 1.56 GAA and .953 save percentage.

Jimmy Howard comes in hot but while Detroit is 3-2-1 on the road (averaging just 2.17 GPG), Montreal is 9-0-0 at home, scoring 3.56 and allowing 1.33 GPG. Price is now 19-2-0 in his last 21 outings following his 23-save performance in Thursday's 4-1 victory over Los Angeles and that includes him being in net for eight of Montreal's nine straight home wins to open the season. The Montreal Canadiens can set a franchise record on Saturday should they make it 10 wins in a row at Bell Centre. The 1953-54 Canadiens opened their season with a record nine straight home victories before, ironically, losing to the Red Wings. Paraphrasing Al Michaels, "Do you believe in irony?" I don't! Montreal is an 8* play.