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What to watch for as the Golden Knights face the Canadiens

Tonight is a tale between two totally different teams. The Vegas Golden Knights (9-4-1) conclude their six-game road trip against the much-improved Montreal Canadiens (6-8-1).

The Golden Knights are coming off a tough shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday,

The Canadiens have won five of their last seven and have scored 28 goals in that stretch. Montreal is coming off a 2-0 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks, where young goalie Charlie Lindgren recorded his first shutout.

Vegas is playing one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL as the Canadiens have currently let in 55 goals, and sit bottom five in the league in goals against.

Here are three things to watch for the Golden Knights.

Can the Golden Knights stop the red hot Canadiens?

After a slow start to the season, Montreal is riding high. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Vegas has a tough test ahead.

In the last seven gamesOn the Canadiens current seven game hot streak, Montreal forward Jonathan Drouin has scored six points (five goals, one assist). Galchenyuk has registered three goals and two assists and Max Pacioretty has tallied four assists and four goals.

The Golden Knights will have to shut down the Canadiens’ big three if they want any chance of getting back in the win column.

Speaking of a back-to-back, does Vegas have enough in the tank?

The Golden Knights are playing their third back-to-back in 15 games. That’s a lot.

Vegas has split the back end of back-to-backs so far (defeated the Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 7 and lost to the New York Rangers on Oct. 31).

The Golden Knights had to come back from down 3-1 last night against a high-powered Toronto team, so a lot of energy might have been spent. The key for Vegas will be to end this road trip strong.

Can the Golden Knights take advantage of a Carey Price-less team?

Price was placed on the injured reserve Nov. 3 with with a lower-body injury. The Canadiens have won both games in his absence.

Whether it is Lindgren or Al Montoya, the Golden Knights will have to take advantage of not having to play against the superstar goaltender. Vegas will have to put as much pressure as possible at the net and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

How to watch

TV: AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, NHL.TV

Radio: Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM

Puck drop: 4:30 p.m. PT