SHEA WEBER

Two teams that have been heading in opposite directions, but have a long history against each other, meet on Wednesday night in the heart of New England, as the Boston Bruins play host to the Montreal Canadiens. Watch the NHL on DirecTV StreamLess than a year removed from a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, the Montreal Canadiens have seen a night-and-day difference. Their 7-23-4 record is the worst in the Eastern Conference, and are just one point ahead of the Arizona Coyotes for the worst record in the entire NHL. This will be the second meeting of the season between the two longtime rivals, as the Bruins beat Montreal in Boston back on November 14. What: NHL HockeyWho: Montreal Canadiens (7-23-4) vs. Boston Bruins (19-11-2)When: Wednesday, January 12Time: 7:00 p.m.

The NHL has announced that players won't be able to participate in the Beijing Olympics.

Montreal's Cole Caufield is the best of a handful of college hockey stars who went from playing at the NCAA level this season to jumping right into the NHL playoffs.

Matt Duchene scored at 14:54 of the second overtime and the Nashville Predators beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 on Friday night to cut their series deficit to 2-1.

NHL players could start participating in voluntary small-group workouts, and teams began opening their training facilities Monday. Players learned Thursday training camps can open July 10, pending an agreement on returning to play later this summer. Now, the players are expected to trickle back in preparation of the resumption of the season. Players started skating by the handful this week in places like Boston, Chicago, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Columbus and Edmonton, while some teams waited to open their doors. Veteran Nashville general manager David Poile said that while almost a dozen players remained in the area, the NHL has instructed teams not to ask or encourage players to show up because this stage is voluntary.

DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings can only wish they played Montreal more than just four times this season. Andreas Athanasiou scored his second goal with 5:15 remaining in regulation to cap Detroits three-goal third period, helping the Red Wings rally to beat the Canadiens 4-3 Tuesday night to sweep the season series. Theyve got a good goalie, a good team. I think they wanted to win the game more than we did, so they made plays when we didnt, Canadiens forward Paul Byron said. They fought and made some big plays.Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier did not give up a goal in the third period and finished with 19 saves.