(My Sportsbook) - A pair of teams hoping to avoid three-game losing streaks will meet tonight in Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadiens at RBC Center.

The Canadiens are coming off back-to-back losses to Tampa Bay and Washington and have lost three of their last four tests overall.

The most recent setback was Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Capitals in a game that completed Montreal's franchise record seven-game homestand. Michael Nylander scored to break a tie with 2:32 left in the third period and Washington held on to edge the Habs at the Bell Centre.

Patrice Brisebois accounted for the lone Canadiens goal and Jaroslav Halak turned in a solid performance between the pipes for the Canadiens, making 24 saves.

Montreal was without several key players, including goaltender Carey Price (flu/lower-body) and captain Saku Koivu (lower-body). Neither Price nor Koivu will make the trip to Carolina and Marc Denis will serve as the backup to Halak.

The Canadiens are 7-4-2 as the visiting team this year, but will only be making this brief stop in Raleigh before returning to Quebec for another three-game homestand. The residency will begin Thursday evening against Philadelphia.

Carolina has suffered through a rough stretch recently, losing two straight, five of six and eight of its last 10 contests. The team also has a 1-1-3 record since Paul Maurice took over head coaching duties from the fired Peter Laviolette.

The Hurricanes have gained points in four straight games, going 1-0-3 over that stretch.

Carolina was last in action Saturday at Madison Square Garden and was handed a shootout loss by the New York Rangers. Chris Drury had the lone shootout goal to lift the Blueshirts to the 3-2 decision.

Tuomo Ruutu and Ray Whitney lit the lamp for the Hurricanes. Cam Ward, who missed the previous four games with a groin injury, was back between the pipes for Carolina and stopped 27 shots.

Whitney has recorded points in five straight games and has posted three goals and three assists over that stretch.

The Hurricanes are 7-8-1 as the host this year and are playing the first of two straight at home tonight. Carolina, which ended a five-game home losing streak on December 7 against Washington, will also welcome Florida to RBC on Thursday.

Montreal and the Hurricanes have split a pair of meetings this year with each club picking up a win on home ice. Carolina has taken two of three and six of the last nine encounters, but the Habs have taken three of five in Raleigh.