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BROSSARD, Que. -- Those impatient for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada will have just one team to root for in the NHL playoffs -- the Montreal Canadiens. For the first time since 1973, only one Canadian team has qualified for the NHL post-season. The Canadiens will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round, with only home ice advantage to be decided in the final regular-season games on the weekend. Defenceman Josh Gorges said Friday he expects a lot of attention, but it will be no more pressure than what the team deals with every day of the season. "There may be more eyes within Canada watching our games," the Kelowna, B.C. native said. "In Canada, they have their loyalties to their local teams, but come playoff time, youve watched when Vancouver was in the Cup (final) a few years ago. "Calgary, Edmonton, the same thing. The whole country rallies around because they want to see a Stanley Cup come back to Canada. But I dont think it adds anything. Theres enough pressure just because of what were trying to accomplish." In 1973, the Canadiens were the lone Canadian playoff team and they won the Cup. They are also the last Canadian team to win a Cup in 1993. They are widely considered to be long shots to go more than a round or two this time, even though theyve had an excellent season, have Canadian Olympic gold medallist Carey Price in goal, and got a major boost at the trade deadline in scoring winger Thomas Vanek. Last season, four Canadian teams made the playoffs. Only two made it in the two seasons before that. It seems odd that clubs with such enthusiastic fans and which sell out every game have so much trouble finishing in the top eight in their conferences. But Gorges said the added attention may be what makes it so difficult. "Its a little bit strange, but at the same time, its not easy playing in Canadian markets," he said. "On a lot of teams in the States, theres nothing more to it than going out and playing the game and getting the two points, whereas a lot of times in Canada, you cant escape hockey. "No matter where you go, theres added, outside things that affect your performance. I think weve done a good job here of trying to find that balance, but that could, maybe, be a reason why some Canadian teams havent been in there." The Canadiens have reached the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons, missing in 2012. Their best season since 1993 was in 2010 when they reached the Eastern Conference final. The Vancouver Canucks saw a run of five straight trips to the post-season end this season. "Going into the season, you look at all the Canadian teams and youd think most of them would be contending," said Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher. "For us, being the only one, well probably have some of Canada on our side. "Some of them will still hate us, but it doesnt change what we do and how we have to prepare." The second-year forwards only playoff experience was in an all-Canadian series last spring, when Montreal was beaten in five games by the Ottawa Senators. "Theres so much expectation for Canadian teams to compete because the fans are so passionate and they care so much," said Gallagher, an Edmonton native. "Every fan base in Canada expects their team to be in the playoffs every year. "Im sure next year it will be different, but for us, it doesnt change anything. Were happy to be where we are and want to take advantage of it." While having only one team is rare, its an improvement on 1970, when no Canadian teams made it. Bobby Orrs Boston Bruins beat St. Louis in the final that year. The Canadiens, who are 0-for-20 on the power play in their last seven games, worked mostly on special teams going into their regular season finale Saturday night at home against the New York Rangers. The Canadiens hope a win coupled with a Tampa Bay loss will let them start the playoffs at home, but they dont seem to be sweating it one way or the other. "If its us or Tampa Bay that has home ice advantage, we dont know," said coach Michel Therrien. "But I can predict what the answers will be when we know on Sunday night: The team that has it will be really happy and the team that doesnt will say it doesnt matter." Forward Lars Eller didnt skate and it likely to miss a third game with a flu. Winger Brandon Prust is also out with an upper body injury. Therrien expects him to be ready for the playoffs but cautioned "were not quite sure yet." Forward Travis Moen, out eight games with a concussion, is also a question mark. Winger Michael Blunden was recalled from AHL Hamilton. The Canadiens announced that captain Brian Gionta edged out Gallagher for the Jacques Beauchamp Trophy as the teams unsung hero in voting by the local media. The two-way right winger has played 80 games this season after missing a large part of the last two campaigns with biceps injuries. "From the outside looking in, fans may not realize how important he is," Gorges said of Gionta. "Its not always about how many points you get, its what you do to help the team win games." 17:39ET 11-04-14 Custom Basketball Jerseys Online . With a win tonight, Buehrle will match Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka for the most wins in the majors with 11. Buehrle is 10-4 with a 2.32 earned run average, but has lost his last three starts, including a 7-3 setback at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday. Cheap Custom T-shirts .Y. - Brooklyn Nets centre Brook Lopez has a strained lower back and will miss at least a week. http://www.basketballcustomjerseys.com/. The Maple Leafs handed their embattled head coach a two-year contract extension on Thursday, while at the same time announcing that assistants Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon will not be back. Custom Basketball Jerseys China . The unrestricted free agent agreed to terms with the club on Thursday on a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000. Cheap Custom Basketball Jerseys Sale . The Raptors general manager has his list of possible draft selections whittled down to a handful ahead of Thursday nights NBA draft in Brooklyn, New York. The Raptors, who have auditioned dozens of players over the past couple of weeks, have the 20th overall pick in the first round, as well as the 37th and 58th picks in the second.HOUSTON - Add James Harden to the long list of Houston Rockets dealing with injuries.Harden is struggling with back spasms and is listed as questionable for Houstons game at NBA-leading Golden State on Wednesday night.Hardens back problem began in Saturday nights game.Still a little tight, he said Tuesday. Getting better every single day though.All-Star centre Dwight Howard is improving and practiced with the team on Tuesday, but is doubtful to play against the Warriors. He has missed the last nine games with a strained right knee.Dwight went through the majority of what we did which was the first time hes done that since hes been out, coach Kevin McHale said. So I guess (Wednesday) well see how he feels.McHale said that Howard has been running and doing work away from the team, but that his return to practice was an encouraging step. Howard is averaging 18.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Rookie Tarik Black has filled in for him nicely and has helped the Rockets go 7-2 in his absence, including winning their last four. Hes averaged more thaan six points and seven rebounds a game since Howard has been out.ddddddddddddWere interchanging pieces right now which is kind of weird, but were getting it done, Black said.The Rockets have dealt with numerous injuries this season, and starting forward Terrence Jones (left leg nerve inflammation), backup point guard Isaiah Canaan (left ankle sprain) and forward Kostas Papanikolaou (right knee strain) are all out indefinitely. Francisco Garcia is questionable for Wednesdays game with a right calf strain.The Warriors have won 13 in a row and beat the Rockets 98-87 in the first meeting this season. Houstons recent surge has the team leading the Southwest Division entering Tuesdays games.Harden talked about what the Rockets need to do on Wednesday night.Weve just going to have to go in there and play our game and do what weve been doing, Harden said. We had an opportunity to beat them here but just couldnt get our offence going in the fourth quarter. Now I think our offence is a little bit better so its going to be a great opportunity for us. 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