GAME DAY | Canadiens – Wild: 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 8  OTT 3

The Habs won a wild one on Monday night against the Senators. Charles Hudon and Artturi Lehkonen both scored twice. Montreal took it to Ottawa defenceman Erik Karlsson who had had a game to forget, finishing with a minus-6.  

For a complete recap: Hudon, Lehkonen Spark Habs Offence

Players to watch

  • Max Pacioretty
    Pacioretty has scored in back-to-back games. He is one of the streakiest scorers in the NHL. His recent change in playing style, by being hard on the forecheck and going to the net has rewarded him with his chances. 
  • Luke Kunin
    Kunin, the Wild rookie winger, has four points this season. He was the lone goal scorer for the Wild in their last game. The Habs will need to make it difficult for him from the start
  •  Carey Price
    This could be a statement game for Price. His team has finally provided offense in the past two games. It will be very important for the team to begin playing much better in front of him.
  •  Devan Dubnyk
    Dubnyk hasn’t had a great start to the season. As a former Canadien, expect him to up his game. If the Habs can get one or two goals by him early, his confidence might be shaken.

Keys to Victory

  • Keep it Going
    The Habs are on a roll offensively and will want to keep it going.
  • Defense
    While the Canadiens have been scoring, they have also been allowing far too many high-quality scoring chances and goals. Being solid defensively will be a focus point of this game.
  • Forecheck
    The Montreal forecheck has been relentless of late and caused havoc against the Senators. Getting on the Wild will result in chances for the Habs early in the game that they will want to convert.
Matchup 
Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN | November 2, 8:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-N

2017-18 statistics
WILD CANADIENS
10 (24th) Points (rank) 9 (28th)
4-4-2 Record 4-7-1
2-2-1 Home/Away 2-5-0
4-4-2 Last 10 3-6-1
3.10 GF/G 2.50
2.90 GA/G 3.75
17.6 PP% 13.7
80.5 PK% 76.2
 46.75  CF%  54.15
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Niederreiter – Staal – Kunin
Zucker – Koivu – Granlund
Foligno – Eriksson Ek – Stewart
Winnik – Cullen – Ennis		 Lehkonen – Drouin – Byron
Pacioretty – Danault – Shaw
Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher 
Galchenyuk – McCarron – Mitchell
Defensemen
Suter – Spurgeon
Dumba – Jonas Brodin
Olofsson – Reilly		 Mete – Weber
Alzner – Benn
Davidson – Petry
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Quincey
Injured: Parise, Coyle, Ferraro		 Scratched: De La Rose, Morrow
Injured: Hemsky, Schlemko, Scherbak
Goalies
Devan Dubnyk Carey Price
Record: 3-3-1
GAA: 3.04
Sv%: .905
SO: 0
Alternate: Alex Stalock		 Record: 3-6-1
GAA: 3.64
Sv%: .883
SO: 0
Alternate: Al Montoya
 What to Expect
The Habs high firing offence will be strong once again with Jonathan Drouin and Max Pacioretty leading the way.

Prediction: Canadiens 5  Wild 1

As the Canadiens look to make it three wins in a row, the first period will be an important one. The best prepared team will take it. Carey Price will be a big factor early in the game.
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