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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber, Staff Writer
Last game: MTL 10  DET  1 

Saturday night was a huge game for the Habs with so many parts of their game going right. It was a dominant performance for the ages with Paul Byron picking up a hat-trick and significant contributions from the Canadiens youth.

For a complete recap: Red Wings – Canadiens: Habs Youth Spotlighted in Rout

Players to watch

  • Brayden Schenn
    A change of scenery has done wonders for Schenn. He has turned into an all-around player who brings physicality when needed.
  • Vladimir Tarasenko
    Tarasenko has one of the most dangerous shots in the league putting up over 70 points in each of the last three seasons.
  • Shea Weber
    Sitting at 499 points in the NHL, it could be a milestone night for Weber.

Keys to Victory

  • Ride the momentum
    The Habs can’t take their foot off the gas after their blowout win Saturday.
  • Use your speed
    The Blues can bring the physicality each shift, the Canadiens need to counter it with their speed.
  • Finish scoring opportunities
    The Habs showed the they are capable of finishing Saturday night and will need to continue to have a fighting chance against the Blues.
Matchup 
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | December 5, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-MW

2017-18 statistics
BLUES CANADIENS
36 (5th) Points (rank) 29 (20th)
17-8-2 Record 13-12-3
8-3-2 Away/Home 8-5-2
4-5-1 Last 10 5-3-2
3.19 GF/G 2.75
2.67 GA/G 3.04
17.5 PP% 17.7
77.9 PK% 77.2
 52.95  CF%  51.66
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Sobotka – Stastny – Tarasenko
Schwartz – Schenn – Steen
Paajarvi – Berglund – Blais
Upshall – Brodziak – Jaskin		 Byron – De La Rose – Galchenyuk
Pacioretty – Danault – Shaw
Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher 
Deslauriers – Froese – Carr
Defensemen
Bouwmeester – Pietrangelo
Edmundson – Parayko
Gunnarsson – Bortuzzo		 Benn – Weber
Alzner – Petry
Mete – Schlemko
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Dunn, Sundqvist, Thorburn
Injured: Sanford		 Scratched: Jerabek, Morrow
Injured: Hemsky, Scherbak, Montoya, Lehkonen, Drouin
Goalies
Jake Allen Carey Price
Record: 13-6-2
GAA: 2.73
Sv%: .907
SO: 0
Alternate: Carter Hutton		 Record: 8-7-1
GAA: 2.94
Sv%: .905
SO: 1
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect
St. Louis will bring the physicality in waves. If the defense can hold their own in the opening frame, the Canadiens will have a chance at keeping the win streak alive. 

Prediction: Canadiens 2  Blues 1 

A strong start is essential.
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