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After finishing January on a losing note, the IceCaps (19-17-6-3) will look to start January off on a winning note as they host Utica (20-17-3-3) for a pair of games. St. John's sits tied for 4th in the division while the Comets are third and holding down the last playoff spot. St. John's will be wearing the above uniforms for both games in honour of the pending 100th anniversary of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. (Based on previous +/- data.) Shinkaruk - Gaunce - LaBate Higgins - Hamilton - Bancks Archibald - Zalewski - Grenier Kenins - Friesen - Prust Fedun - Sautner Landry - Subban Pedan - Shields Bachman Hudon - Scherbak - Holloway de la Rose - Dumont - McCarron Bozon - MacMillan - Friberg Bakker - Miceli - Ranger Bartley - Ellis Hanley - Lernout Johnston - Dietz Fucale Puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST for both games, AM 930 has the call. Both games will also be on RDS on tape delay, 8 PM EST Friday and 7:30 PM Saturday.

Montreal Canadiens (24-22-4) Projected Lineup Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Dale Weise Alex Galchenyuk - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Tomas Fleischmann - Lars Eller - Devante Smith-Pelly Lucas Lessio - Torrey Mitchell - Brian Flynn Andrei Markov - P.K. Subban Nathan Beaulieu - Jeff Petry Mark Barberio - Tom Gilbert Mike Condon Ben Scrivens Team Leaders G Max Pacioretty (19) A P.K. Subban (33) PTS P.K. Subban (37) +/- P.K. Subban (+6) PIMS P.K. Subban (49) Injuries: Paul Byron, Daniel Carr, Carey Price Scratches: Sven Andrighetto, Alexei Emelin, Greg Pateryn Philadelphia Flyers (21-18-8) Projected Lineup Jakub Voracek - Claude Giroux - Wayne Simmonds Sam Gagner - Sean Couturier - Brayden Schenn Chris VandeVelde - P-E Bellemare - Ryan White Michael Raffl - Scott Laughton - Matt Read Michael Del Zotto - Shayne Gostisbehere Nick Schultz - Mark Streit Evgeny Medvedev - Radko Gudas Steve Mason Anthony Stolarz Team Leaders G Giroux/Simmonds (14) A Jakub Voracek (28) PTS Claude Giroux (39) +/- Sean Couturier (+8) PIMS Wayne Simmonds (88) Injuries: Michal Neuvirth Scratches: Brandon Manning, R.J. Umberger, Jordan Weal Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST TV: RDS, SNE, CSN-PH (reg'l) Radio: TSN 690 FM 98.5

If you're not interested in watching the Skills Competition tonight, there's still hockey to follow as the IceCaps (19-16-6-3) travel to Hartford to take on the Wolf Pack (22-20-2-0) in the final game of their road trip. If St. John's loses tonight, they will fall out of a playoff spot in the North Division (the crossover will come into play) and the team that will slide into that last spot is Hartford so needless to say, this is an important game. Jeremy Gregoire will likely return to the lineup after Markus Eisenschmid left last night's game in the first period. Hudon - McCarron - Andrighetto Lessio - Scherbak - Holloway de la Rose - Dumont - Friberg Gregoire - MacMillan Hanley - Lernout Ellis - Dietz Bennett - Johnston Didier Fucale (Based on previous +/- data.) Combs - Hrivik - Jensen Tambellini - Nehring - Bourque Brown - Adam - Megna McCarthy - Gibbons - Oleksuk Skjei - Bodie Graves - Diaz (yes, the former Hab) Andersson - Summers Hellberg Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

The 2016 All Star debacle extravaganza will take place this weekend with the Skills Competition on Saturday night and the inter divisional mini games beginning late Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, history will be made as the Habs' AHL team will be proudly represented by John Scott, who will take place in the hardest shot competition plus the shootout. As for the Habs, P.K. Subban will also participate in those two competitions while he's also be in the Breakaway Challenge (more accurately described as the Hot Dog shootout). Bragging rights will surely be on the line...assuming Scott were to ever be recalled. On Sunday, Montreal fans will be in the unique position of having a rooting interest in both semi-finals as Scott's Pacific Division takes on the Central Division while Subban's Atlantic Division will battle everyone's favourite-named Metropolit(an) Division in a 20 minute 3-on-3 game that surely will be played at a faster pace than recent All Star Games. (Or so the league thinks; little do they know that 3-on-3 can also be played at half speed when there's nothing really on the line...) The winners will then face off in another 3-on-3 mini game for the chance to split a $1 million prize. (And maybe someone still gets a truck, who knows?) Key Questions for the Weekend: - Will John Scott actually score a goal? - Will P.K. Subban infect the rest of his divisional teammates with that virus that had him at well under 100% earlier in the week? - Will the league misinterpret the increased viewership to see how Scott fares as a sign that all of these changes mean that the All Star Game is on the way up towards actual relevancy? (Sadly, I could see them thinking this...) The Skills get underway at 7 PM EST on Saturday on CBC. Sportsnet and TVA Sports. The mini-games kick off at 5 PM EST on Sunday on CBC and TVA Sports. NBCSN has coverage in the US.

Week two of this road trip kicks off with the IceCaps (19-14-6-3) travelling to Portland to take on the Pirates (24-15-1-0), affiliate of Florida, for a pair of games. Portland crushed St. John's in a pair of games earlier this month. Jacob de la Rose should be available after being sent down after Tuesday's game. He'll likely take Jeremy Gregoire's spot in the lineup (though taking Scott's spot would be nicer...). Andrighetto - Hudon - Scherbak Lessio - McCarron - Holloway Bournival - de la Rose - Dumont MacMillan - Eisenschmid - Friberg Hanley - Lernout Ellis - Dietz Bennett - Johnston Pasquale (Based on previous +/- data.) Rau - Grimaldi - Harper McFarland - Schremp - Balisy Wilson - McKegg - Olson Brickley - Megan - Flick Olsen - Matheson Regner - Gaunce Racine - Acolatse McKenna Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST for both games, AM 930 has the call.

It won't be a 4K broadcast tonight but depending on who Columbus puts in goal, the Habs may see a 4G. The Blue Jackets are without both of their regular goalies and have their minor league tandem trying to hold down the fort. It's the first of a home-and-home set that will be concluded tomorrow. Max Pacioretty - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Alex Galchenyuk - David Desharnais - Dale Weise Tomas Fleischmann - Lars Eller - Daniel Carr Brian Flynn - Torrey Mitchell - Devante Smith-Pelly Andrei Markov - P.K. Subban Alexei Emelin - Jeff Petry Nathan Beaulieu - Mark Barberio Mike Condon Ben Scrivens Scratches: Jacob de la Rose, Greg Pateryn Injuries: Paul Byron, Tom Gilbert, Carey Price Scott Hartnell - Alexander Wennberg - Brandon Saad Boone Jenner - Brandon Dubinsky - Cam Atkinson Kerby Rychel - William Karlsson - Nick Foligno Matt Calvert - Gregory Campbell - Rene Bourque Ryan Murray - Seth Jones Jack Johnson - Justin Falk Fedor Tyutin - Dalton Prout Joonas Korpisalo Anton Forsberg Scratches: Jared Boll, Cody Goloubef Injuries: Sergei Bobrovsky, David Clarkson, Curtis McElhinney, David Savard, John Tortorella Puck drop is at 7 on RDS, Sportsnet East, and Fox Sports Ohio.

It's a historic game of sorts tonight as Sportsnet will be broadcasting the Montreal-Toronto game in 4K, marking the first hockey game to be shown at resolution. Will 4 times the resolution mean 4 times the struggles? I hope not... Max Pacioretty - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Alex Galchenyuk - David Desharnais - Dale Weise Tomas Fleischmann - Lars Eller - Daniel Carr Brian Flynn - Torrey Mitchell - Devante Smith-Pelly Andrei Markov - P.K. Subban Alexei Emelin - Jeff Petry Nathan Beaulieu - Mark Barberio Mike Condon Ben Scrivens Scratches: Jacob de la Rose, Greg Pateryn Injuries: Paul Byron, Tom Gilbert, Carey Price Michael Grabner - Nazem Kadri - Leo Komarov Shawn Matthias - Tyler Bozak - P-A Parenteau Josh Leivo - Peter Holland - Joffrey Lupul Daniel Winnik - Byron Froese - Richard Clune Jake Gardiner - Dion Phaneuf Matt Hunwick - Morgan Reilly Martin Marincin - Roman Polak James Reimer Jonathan Bernier Scratches: Brad Boyes, Frank Corrado Injuries: James van Riemsdyk, Stephane Robidas, Nick Spaling Puck drop is at 7 (but by the time you get the extended pregame show plus the pregame ceremony, probably closer to 7:20) on CBC, TBA Sports, and the NHL Network.

The IceCaps (17-14-6-3) will be in tough as they look to snap an ugly stretch (they have the worst record in the AHL in the last 10 games...this seems familiar for some odd reason) as they travel to Albany to take on the Devils (23-9-6-0) for a pair of games. Victor Bartley left Wednesday's game with an injury while Bud Holloway didn't suit up. Their statuses for this weekend are unknown. Lessio - McCarron - Scherbak Hudon - Eisenschmid - Andrighetto Bournival - Dumont - Friberg Scott - MacMillan - Gregoire Hanley - Lernout Ellis - Dietz Johnston - Didier Fucale (Based on previous +/- data.) Lorito - O'Neill - Sislo Thompson - O'Brien - Tropp Pietila - Kujawinski - Black Thomson - Pelley - McKelvie Gragnani - Scarlett Helgeson - Mozik Kelly - McPherson Danis Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST on Friday and 2 PM EST on Saturday, AM 930 has the call.

Lost in the nightmarish drop from the Habs is that the IceCaps (17-14-5-3) have squandered their cushion on a playoff spot and could fall out as soon as tonight. Their opponent, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (19-19-2-1), sit just two points back of St. John's. Victor Bartley was sent down this morning, presumably to play in this game. Will tonight be the night that John Scott makes his debut? (Considering Jeremy Gregoire is a scratch right now, hopefully not...) Lessio - McCarron - Scherbak Carr - Hudon - Andrighetto Bournival - Dumont - Friberg Scott - MacMillan - Eisenschmid Bartley - Lernout Hanley - Ellis Johnston - Dietz Fucale (Based on previous +/- data.) Vaive - Wright - Collberg Kearns - Verhaeghe - Beck Florek - Holmstrom - Halmo Jones - Gomes - Markison Burroughs - Pulock Czuczman - Leduc Graham - Cullity Gibson Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

Montreal Canadiens (23-18-4) Projected Lineup Max Pacioretty - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Alex Galchenyuk - David Desharnais - Dale Weise Tomas Fleischmann - Lars Eller - Paul Byron Jacob de la Rose - Torrey Mitchell - Brian Flynn Andrei Markov - P.K. Subban Alexei Emelin - Jeff Petry Nathan Beaulieu - Mark Barberio Ben Scrivens Mike Condon Injuries: Tom Gilbert, Carey Price Scratches: Victor Bartley, Greg Pateryn, Devante Smith-Pelly Chicago Blackhawks (30-13-4) Projected Lineup Andrew Shaw - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa Artemi Panarin - Artem Anisimov - Patrick Kane Andrew Desjardins - Philip Danault - Teuvo Teravainen Richard Panik - Dennis Rasmussen - Ryan Garbutt Duncan Keith - Niklas Hjalmarsson Trevor van Riemsdyk - Brent Seabrook Michal Rozsival - Erik Gustafsson Corey Crawford Scott Darling Injuries: Marcus Kruger Scratches: Brandon Mashinter, Rob Scuderi Leaders Montreal Chicago Game Notes Goals Pacioretty (18) Kane (28) Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST Assists Subban (28) Kane (39) National TV: SN Points Pacioretty (35) Kane (67) Regional TV: RDS, WGN PIMS Emelin (45) Toews (36) English Radio: TSN 690 +/- Subban (+12) Kane (+22) French Radio: FM 98.5

The IceCaps (16-13-5-3) are hoping some reinforcements will help get them going again. There will be quite a few different faces in the lineup this weekend as they host the league leading Marlies (30-7-2-0) for two games. And for anyone wondering, John Scott won't be available for Saturday's game but will be for Sunday afternoon's contest. Nikita Scherbak and Ryan Johnston are both ready to return from injury and will play. (Based on previous +/- data.) Morin - Arcobello - Hyman Leipsic - Rupert - Frattin Kapanen - Bailey - Findlay Soshnikov - Gauthier - Rodewald Percy - Loov Campbell - Valiev Brennan - Holl Bibeau Carr - McCarron - Holloway Andrighetto - Hudon - Scherbak Bournival - Dumont - Friberg Lessio - MacMillan - Eisenschmid Hanley - Lernout Ellis - Dietz Didier - Johnston Fucale Puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST Saturday and 2:30 PM EST Sunday, AM 930 has the call for both.

BLACKHAWKS (28-13-4) AT CANADIENS (23-17-3) TV: NBCSN, CSN-CH, RDS, SNE Season series: The Chicago Blackhawks swept the Montreal Canadiens last season, winning 5-0 at Bell Centre on Nov. 4, 2014 and 4-3 at United Center on Dec. 5, 2014. Line ups to come

After a tough weekend against a good team, the IceCaps (16-11-5-3) will look to get back on track as they take on an even better team for a pair of games in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (26-8-0-1) who sit 2nd in the AHL. A random tidbit, the Penguins are now coached by Clark Donatelli, who previously coached in ECHL Wheeling (Montreal's shared affiliate up until this season). (Former Hab Jay Leach also served as an interim coach for them this season.) (Based on previous +/- data.) Dea - Simon - Kostopoulos Sheary - Mouillerat - Wilson Uher - Gill - Rowney Sestito - Archibald - Loney Pouliot - Oleksy O'Neill - Ruopp McNeill - Andersen Jarry Hudon - McCarron - Holloway Bournival - Dumont - Eisenschmid Lessio - de la Rose - Friberg Fournier - MacMillan - Gregoire Hanley - Lernout Ellis - Didier Bennett - Dietz Fucale Puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST for both games, AM 930 has the call.

The IceCaps (16-9-5-3) return home and for the first time in a long time, will face someone outside of their division as they host the Pirates (18-13-1-0) for a pair. Michael McCarron is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last two games with an upper body injury (puck to the mouth). (Based on previous +/- data.) Harper - Grimaldi - Simpson McFarland - Schremp - Balisy Wilson - Olson - McKegg Rau - Megan - Brickley Olsen - Regner Gaunce - Weegar Acolatse - Racine McKenna Lessio - McCarron - Friberg Bournival - de la Rose - Dumont Hudon - Eisenschmid - Holloway MacMillan - Gregoire Ellis - Dietz Hanley - Lernout Bennett - Thrower Didier Pasquale Puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST for both games, AM 930 has the call. Friday's game will be televised on RDS in tape delay beginning at 8:00 PM EST.

Montreal Canadiens (22-15-3) Projected Lineup Max Pacioretty - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Lars Eller - Alex Galchenyuk - Daniel Carr Tomas Fleischmann - David Desharnais - Devante Smith-Pelly Paul Byron - Torrey Mitchell - Brian Flynn Nathan Beaulieu - P.K. Subban Andrei Markov - Jeff Petry Alexei Emelin - Mark Barberio Ben Scrivens Mike Condon Team Leaders G Max Pacioretty (16) A P.K. Subban (26) PTS Max Pacioretty (31) +/- P.K. Subban (+11) PIMS P.K. Subban (39) Injuries: Tom Gilbert, Carey Price, Dale Weise Scratches: Sven Andrighetto, Greg Pateryn, Jarred Tinordi Philadelphia Flyers (15-15-7) Projected Lineup Jakub Voracek - Claude Giroux - Wayne Simmonds Michael Raffl - Sean Couturier - Brayden Schenn Matt Read - Scott Laughton - R.J. Umberger Chris VandeVelde - P-E Bellemare - Ryan White Michael Del Zotto - Radko Gudas Nick Schultz - Mark Streit Brandon Manning - Shayne Gostisbehere Michal Neuvirth Steve Mason Team Leaders G Claude Giroux (12) A Jakub Voracek (21) PTS Claude Giroux (29) +/- Shayne Gostisbehere (+4) PIMS Wayne Simmonds (82) Injuries: Vincent Lecavalier Scratches: Evgeny Medvedev, Luke Schenn Puck Drop: 7:30 PM EST TV: NBCSN (nat'l), RDS, SNE (reg'l) Radio: TSN 690 FM 98.5

The IceCaps (15-9-5-3) will look to salvage something from what has been a very disappointing week tonight as they travel to Utica to take on the Comets (16-11-3-2). Michael McCarron is not expected to play but is hopeful to be available for their next game. Lessio - Hudon - Holloway Bournival - de la Rose - Dumont MacMillan - Eisenschmid - Fournier McNally - Gregoire Ellis - Dietz Hanley - Lernout Bennett - Didier Thrower Tokarski (Based on previous +/- data.) Shinkaruk - Gaunce - Grenier Archibald - Friesen - Jensen Bancks - Jones - Hamilton Kurtz - Zalewski - Cassels Ehrhardt - Negrin Landry - Subban Syvret - Shields Bachman Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

Montreal Canadiens (21-15-3) Projected Lineup Max Pacioretty - Tomas Plekanec - Brendan Gallagher Lars Eller - Alex Galchenyuk - Daniel Carr Tomas Fleischmann - David Desharnais - Dale Weise Paul Byron - Torrey Mitchell - Brian Flynn Nathan Beaulieu - P.K. Subban Andrei Markov - Jeff Petry Alexei Emelin - Mark Barberio Mike Condon Ben Scrivens Team Leaders G Max Pacioretty (15) A P.K. Subban (25) PTS Max Pacioretty (29) +/- P.K. Subban (+9) PIMS P.K. Subban (39) Injuries: Tom Gilbert, Carey Price Scratches: Greg Pateryn, Devante Smith-Pelly, Jarred Tinordi Boston Bruins (20-12-4) Projected Lineup Loui Eriksson - Patrice Bergeron - Seth Griffith Matt Beleskey - Ryan Spooner - Brett Connolly Frank Vatrano - Landon Ferraro - Alexander Khokhlachev Zac Rinaldo - Maxime Talbot - Jimmy Hayes Zdeno Chara - Dennis Seidenberg Torey Krug - Adam McQuaid Joe Morrow - Kevan Miller Tuukka Rask Jonas Gustavsson Team Leaders G Brad Marchand (15) A David Krejci (22) PTS Patrice Bergeron (35) +/- Zdeno Chara (+10) PIMS Zac Rinaldo (58) Injuries: Chris Kelly, Joonas Kemppainen, David Krejci Scratches: Brad Marchand (susp.), Tyler Randell, Zach Trotman Puck Drop: 1:00 PM EST TV: SN, NBC, TVA Sports Radio: TSN 690 FM 98.5

Tonight, St. John's (15-8-5-3) will look to end 2015 on a winning note as they travel to Binghamton to take on the Senators (10-17-2-0) who sit dead last in the Eastern Conference. Despite that note, the Baby Sens have won four straight. Michael McCarron left yesterday's game after taking a puck to the face and did not return so he may not play tonight. Lessio - Hudon - Holloway Bournival - de la Rose - Andrighetto MacMillan - Dumont - Fournier McNally - Eisenschmid - Gregoire Ellis - Dietz Hanley - Didier Thrower - Lernout Fucale (Based on previous +/- data.) Dzingel - O'Dell - Robinson Paul - Schneider - Lindberg Greening - Flanagan - Puempel Hobbs - Ewanyk - Stortini Claesson - Carlisle Kostka - Lepine Fraser - Mullen Driedger Puck drop is at 6:05 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

The IceCaps (15-8-5-2) play their second last game of 2015 tonight as they travel to Rochester to take on the Americans (10-17-2-0). Tim Bozon and Dalton Thrower are both available for this one as they were recalled from Brampton yesterday while Dustin Tokarski will be in uniform. Whether he plays or not though remains to be seen. Lessio - Hudon - Holloway Bournival - McCarron - Dumont MacMillan - de la Rose - Fournier McNally - Eisenschmid - Gregoire Bennett - Dietz Ellis - Didier Hanley - Lernout Tokarski (Based on previous +/- data.) Carrier - Varone - Baptiste Dupuy - Schaller - Akeson Rodrigues - O'Reilly - Bailey Ellis - Jacobs - Garbowski Robak - Sanguinetti Ruhwedel - Austin Donovan - Leduc Makarov Puck drop is at 7:05 PM EST, AM 930 has the call.

Montreal Canadiens (21-14-3) Pacioretty - Desharnais - Weise Eller - Galchenyuk - Carr Fleischmann - Plekanec - Andrighetto Byron - Mitchell - Flynn Beaulieu - Subban Markov - Petry Barberio - Pateryn Scrivens Florida Panthers (20-12-4) Huberdeau - Barkov - Jagr Jokinen - Trocheck - Smith Pirri - Mackenzie - Shaw Thornton - Knight - Brickley Mitchell - Campbell Ekblad - Kulikov Petrovic - Gudbranson Luongo *Lines are best guesses at this point

Montreal Canadiens (20-14-3) Pacioretty - Desharnais - Weise Eller - Galchenyuk - Carr Fleischmann - Plekanec - Andrighetto Byron - Mitchell - Flynn Beaulieu - Subban Markov - Petry Barberio - Pateryn Condon Tampa Bay Lightning (18-15-3) Namestnikov - Stamkos - Kucherov Killorn - Filppula - Marchessault Brown - Paquette - Callahan Condra - Angelidis - Blunden Hedman - Stralman Garrison - Sustr Coburn - Nesterov Bishop

We've tried lots of slump-busting GDT's, from fancy ones to sarcastic ones to musical ones. We even tried going to the good luck charm of past years with little success. There's still one thing we haven't looked to to get the Habs out of this funk. It's something that used to be used all of the time on here but now only makes sporadic appearances in the minor league game threads and it only appears after a win. Today, we turn to you, oh dancing banana, to help get Montreal back on track. Looks like two lineup changes on the back end, Pateryn in for Tinordi, Petry for Gilbert. No changes up front. Game preview with lines: http://www.habsworld.net/2015/12/preview-december-26-habs-vs-capitals/