GAME DAY | Kings – 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: MTL 5 FLA 1

Carey Price looked to be his normal self and set the tone early for the Canadiens. The power-play was a big difference with two goals in the game. It was also important that Montreal did not fold after giving up a goal in the opening minute of the second period. 

For a complete recap: Panthers – Canadiens: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV

Players to watch

  • Adrian Kempe
    Kempe scored a hat-trick versus the Canadiens last week, and got a shootout winner in his last game against the Senators. Kempe has been moved up in the lineup to replace Jeff Carter following his injury in last weeks’ matchup with the Habs.
  • Alex Galchenyuk
    Galchenyuk earned the Canadiens first goal against the Panthers after going hard to the net. If he continues to work hard he will soon see himself back in the top six. As mentioned in Marc Bergevin’s press conference, confidence is a big part of Galchenyuk’s game. 
  •  Michael Cammalleri
    Cammalleri will always be remembered in Montreal for his departure in the middle of a game. Cammalleri scored in last weeks’ match versus the Habs by batting the puck in mid air. The veteran forward may lack some speed but still has the talent to make up for it. 
  •  Andrew Shaw
    Shaw has been playing well so far this season. It may not show on the stat sheet I expect that his effort will produce points soon. Shaw has received power-play time for his face-off ability and net front presence.  

Keys to Victory

  • Win the special teams game
    The Canadiens will want to replicate their power-play effort against the Panthers.
  • Own the puck
    Both teams are in the top-10 in possession this season. The Canadiens will want to complete smart, crisp passes and win puck battles. 
  • Move out attacking forwards
    So far this season, Canadiens defencemen have done a poor job of fronting. They must be better at clearing the front of the net and limiting second chance opportunities.
Matchup 
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 26, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-W

2017-18 statistics
KINGS CANADIENS
15 (2nd) Points (rank) 5 (30th)
7-1-1 Record 2-6-1
3-1-0 Away/Home 1-1-1
7-1-1 Last 10 2-6-1
3.44 GF/G 1.89
2.11 GA/G 3.78
16.1 PP% 13.9
91.2 PK% 78.1
 52.34  CF%  54.52
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Iafallo – Kopitar – Brown
Pearson – Kempe – Toffoli
Cammalleri – Shore – Lewis
Andreoff – Laich – Dowd
 Lehkonen – Drouin – Byron
Pacioretty – Danault – Shaw
Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher 
Galchenyuk – McCarron – Scherbak
Defensemen
Forbort – Doughty
Muzzin – Martinez
MacDermid – Fantenberg		 Mete – Weber
Alzner – Benn
Davidson – Petry
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Folin, Amadio
Injured: Gaborik, Clifford, Carter		 Scratched: Mitchell, De La Rose, Morrow
Injured: Hemsky, Schlemko
Goalies
Jonathan Quick Carey Price
Record: 5-1-1
GAA: 2.15
Sv%: .934
SO: 1
Alternate: Darcy Kuemper		 Record: 2-5-1
GAA: 3.54
Sv%: .890
SO: 0
Alternate: Al Montoya
 What to Expect
The Habs are still a delicate team and will need to get on the Kings early.

Prediction: Canadiens 4 Kings 0

After a solid performance last game, Price will want to do one better and try to post his first shutout of the season. A hard forecheck can set the tone and a balanced attack can lead the Habs to their second win a row.
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