Backups to duel as Habs visit Devils tonight

Dustin Tokarski (left) will duel Keith Kinkaid of the New Jersey Devils Friday at the Bell Centre. (CP file photos)

It shall be a battle of the backups tonight, as the Canadiens (47-22-9) and the Devils (31-33-13) rest their first-string netminders as they clash in New Jersey.

Habs' goalie Dustin Tokarski will hope for some redemption after going 1-3-2 with a 3.30 GAA in his last six starts. Devils' goalie Keith Kinkaid is scheduled to get his third start against the Canadiens this season after giving up nine goals on 69 shots over the first two.

Former Hab Michael Cammalleri is enjoying a resurgence for the Devils this season. The left winger leads New Jersey with 27 goals, the most he's collected since getting a career-high 39 with Calgary in 2008-09. Cammalleri has scored in both matchups with the Canadiens this season.

Montreal's penalty kill let it down Thursday, surrendering three goals on four power plays en route to a 5-4 shootout defeat to Washington - the Canadiens' fourth (1-2-2) in five games.

"We had a really tough time killing penalties," coach Michel Therrien said. "I understand that this is the best power play in the league, but we have to do a much better job than to let in three goals."

P.K. Subban had three assists in both of Montreal's victories in the season series.

"I've had two shots at them already," the rookie told the team's official website. "I'd like to get a win against them. That'd be good (against) a top team. I think it'll be like a playoff game for us. Every game is a playoff game. We want to still make some noise in the league, finish strong and get off this little slide."

Only three more regular season games remain after this for the Canadiens. The Habs visit the Panthers on Sunday then host the Wings on Thursday and finish the season against the Leafs in Toronto on Saturday April 11.

-With a file from The Associated Press