NHL playoff preview: Canadiens vs. Senators

No. 1 Montreal Canadiens

vs. No. 4 Ottawa Senators

Goaltenders: Montreal's Carey Price (44-16-6, 1.96 goals-against average .933 save percentage) vs. Ottawa's Andrew Hammond (20-1-2 ,1.79, .941). This is a matchup between the likely Hart and Vezina trophy winner in Price and the hottest goalie down the stretch in Hammond. Nicknamed the Hamburglar, Hammond was a minor leaguer who was promoted, got hot, stayed hot and became a national story in Canada. He has never played an NHL playoff game and has four games of American Hockey League playoff experience.

Story line: The Canadiens were among the NHL's most consistent teams this season and the Senators made the playoffs with an incredible late-season surge. They were 14 points out of a playoff spot on Feb. 10.

Season series: 3-1 Senators

Key matchup: Hammond vs. himself. He has not allowed the attention to bother him, but the pressure now rises to an even greater level. He has never seen a spotlight quite like playing a postseason game in Montreal.

Why the Canadiens should win

1. The Senators have been hot lately, but the Canadiens have been playing playoff style hockey all season. They are not a scary offensive team, but they find ways to score. 2. The Canadiens don't give up many goals. They led the league in goals against. They are quite comfortable playing one-goal games. 3. Coach Michel Therrien's group is one of the league's top five teams in five-on-five play. A series with few penalties works in their favor.

Why the Senators could win

1. They have played like one of the NHL's best teams for two months. Rookie Mark Stone, Hammond and many other Ottawa players are playing their best hockey. 2. D Erik Karlsson's puck-moving can be a major factor in any playoff series. No one in the league can push the puck up ice like he can. 3. The Senators seemingly have solved Price. He had an .887 save percentage in his two meetings against them this season.

Injuries: Montreal, LW Max Pacioretty (concussion) will miss Game 1. The Canadiens ranked 20th in goals per game. They can't afford to be without Pacioretty long. Ottawa, LW Milan Michalek will play.

Prediction: The Senators will ride this wave right into the second round. Take the Senators in six games.

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