GAME DAY | Panthers – Canadiens: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV

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Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber, Staff Writer
Last game: ANA 6 MTL 2

The Canadiens lost the third of the California road trip. Montreal played an amazing 20 minutes of hockey in the second period after a dismal first period. But a third period collapse led to their seventh loss in a row.

For a complete recap: Canadiens – Ducks: Habs Lose Seventh Straight Game

Players to watch

  • Aleksander Barkov
    Barkov has six points in seven games this season. He is a big-bodied centerman who will give Canadiens defenseman all they can handle. Tomas Plekanec will likely play a shutdown role against him tonight and will be a key matchup to watch.
  • Jeff Petry
    Petry hasn’t played very well this season and has been demoted to the third pair for tonight’s game. He is being outworked, allowing opposing forwards to go to the net, and has made careless turnovers. Petry must be more physical tonight. 
  •  Aaron Ekblad
    Ekblad is off to a great start to the season with five points. He is the leader for the Panthers and has no trouble shutting down opposition forwards.
  •  Michael McCarron, Nikita Scherbak
    Scherbak and McCarron will look to create energy from the fourth line, playing their first games this season. Scherbak has speed and is very talented offensively with nine points in six games for Laval. McCarron has been a physical force for the Rocket providing a presence in front of the net. He has four points in six games for Laval.

Keys to Victory

  • Play a full game
    The Canadiens have not played a 60-minute game yet this season.
  • Fuel Bell Centre
    It’s important for the Habs to give the home crowd something to cheer about early.
  • Focus
    Montreal can’t wilt at the first sign of adversity. Following a goal, they need to focus on getting it back.
Matchup 
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 24, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-F

2017-18 statistics
PANTHERS CANADIENS
6 (26th) Points (rank) 3 (30th)
3-4-0 Record 1-6-1
1-3-0 Away/Home 0-1-1
3-4-0 Last 10 1-6-1
3.43 GF/G 1.50
3.57 GA/G 4.13
18.8 PP% 9.4
72.4 PK% 76.7
 51.74  CF%  53.64
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Huberdeau – Barkov – Dadonov
McGinn – Trocheck – Vrbata
Brickley – Malgin – Bjugstad
Haley – MacKenzie – Tippett

 Byron – Drouin – Lehkonen
Shaw – Danault – Pacioretty
Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher 
Scherbak – McCarron – Galchenyuk
Not expected to play: Mitchell, De La Rose, Hemsky
Defensemen
Yandle – Ekblad
Matheson – Pysyk
Weegar – McCoshen		 Mete – Weber
Alzner – Benn
Davidson – Petry
Not expected to play: Morrow, Schlemko
Goalies
James Reimer Carey Price
Record: 2-2-0
GAA: 3.14
Sv%: .914
SO: 0
Alternate: Antti Niemi		 Record: 1-5-1
GAA: 3.94
Sv%: .881
SO: 0
Alternate: Al Montoya
 What to Expect
The Canadiens have changed up their lines with offensive on each one for tonight’s match-up against their divisional opponent. It will be interesting to see how these lines perform and how much they are used. I expect high energy from each line with players willing to go into the dirty areas. If the Habs play a full 60 minutes they should be able to take it the Panthers

Prediction: Canadiens 5 Panthers 0

If Montreal can play a full 60 minutes they should be able to take it the Panthers. The Habs have a lot to prove tonight and will look to put an end to the losing streak.
Highlights from the NHL
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