MTL@NSH: Game recap

NASHVILLE - The Canadiens wrapped up their seven-game road swing with a 6-3 loss to the Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

The boys arrived in Nashville in style with their cowboy hats.

Earlier in the day, the Canadiens announced that David Savard and Anthony Richard would return to the lineup, while Joel Armia and Johnathan Kovacevic would be healthy scratches.
Savard, who was dealing with an upper-body injury, played in his first game since December 3 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Meanwhile, Richard got to face the team who drafted him 100th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Sam Montembeault got the start in net for the Habs, while Juuse Saros was between the pipes for Nashville.
Martin St-Louis' squad has been searching for their first win since December 19, but the Predators made it difficult for the visitors. Forward Cody Glass scored his third of the season 4:10 into the game on a power play after defenseman Joel Edmundson took a delay of game penalty.
One minute and 39 seconds later, his teammate Colton Sissons tallied his fifth of the present campaign to double the home side's advantage.
It got worse for the Canadiens, as Mattias Ekholm tripled their lead a little past the halfway point of the opening frame.
The Habs brought themselves within two with 50 seconds left in the period when forward Cole Caufield scored his 22nd goal of the season. The winger broke out through the neutral zone before showing off his hands and mesmerizing netminder Saros.

After 20 minutes of play, the Preds led 3-1. Both teams registered 15 shots on goal each during the stanza.
Back for the second period, the Habs built on their momentum with a goal from Josh Anderson, his 10th of the season. Linemate Jonathan Drouin dropped a pass for the Powerhorse whose wrist shot was partially stopped by Saros' glove before ultimately finding its way inside the net. Richard earned a secondary assist.

This didn't deter the Predators from regaining their three-goal cushion, courtesy of forward Thomas Novak and captain Roman Josi.
After 40 minutes of play, John Hynes' contingent returned to the dressing room with a 5-2 advantage.
The Preds led marginally in shots on goal with 25 against the Canadiens' 23.
Penalties continued to hurt the Habs in the third, as the Predators converted on a 5-on-3 power play with a goal from Matt Duchene to make it 6-2.
Near the end of the game, Brendan Gallagher found the back of the net with a one-timer. Mike Hoffman and Christian Dvorak earned assists on the play.

The Habs are back in action in front of their fans on Thursday when they host the New York Rangers on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.