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Game Preview |
Last game: MTL 0 OTT 3
Carey Price carried the Canadiens to overtime with Tomas Plekanec scoring the game-winner.
For a complete recap: Canadiens – Senators: Habs Waste Another Strong Performance by Price
Players to watch
- Karl Alzner
The Canadiens defence will be hard-pressed to fill the void in the lineup created by Shea Weber’s absence. Alzner will be leaned on to be a stabilizing force on defence.
- Brock Boeser
Boeser will be a game-time decision after suffering a bone bruise in his foot after blocking a shot in the game against Calgary on Sunday. Boeser leads all rookies in the NHL with 17 goals and 30 points.
- Jonathan Drouin
There’s no question that Drouin has been a major disappointment so far this season for the Canadiens failing to live up to expectations. Drouin will be reunited with Max Pacioretty tonight as coach Julien attempts to spark the Canadiens offense.
Keys to Victory
- Play desperate
The Canadiens must be emotionally invested from the drop of the puck and show the desperation that they need to make a push for a playoff spot.
- Use ‘home ice’ advantage
Rogers Arena will be filled with West Coast Habs fans. And the Canadiens have numerous players with B.C ties including Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher, Karl Alzner and Jordie Benn.
- Discourage the opponent
Score early and often. The Canucks are 1-5-0 in their past six games and have injury issues up front. If Montreal gets off to a first period lead, the Cancuks may be primed to fold their tent.
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Matchup by All Habs staff |
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC | Dec. 19, 10:00 PM ET | TV: SNP, RDS, TSN2 |
![](http://allhabs.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/teamlogo_canucks.png) |
2017-18 statistics
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![](http://allhabs.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/teamlogo_canadiens1.png) |
CANUCKS |
CANADIENS |
34 (24th) |
Points (rank) |
32 (25th) |
15-15-4 |
Record |
14-15-4 |
6-8-3 |
Home/Away |
5-8-1 |
4-6-0 |
Last 10 |
6-3-1 |
2.59 |
GF/G |
2.61 |
3.06 |
GA/G |
3.09 |
21.84 |
PP% |
17.14 |
79.50 |
PK% |
78.89 |
47.40 |
CF% |
51.52 |
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Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders |
Forwards |
D. Sedin – H. Sedin – Vanek
Eriksson – Gagner – Boeser
Goldobin – Burmistrov – Virtanen
Gaunce – Granlund – Boucher |
Pacioretty – Drouin – Byron
Galchenyuk – Danault – Shaw
Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher
Deslauriers – Froese – Carr |
Defensemen |
Edler – Stecher
Pouliot – Gudbranson
Del Zotto – Biega |
Benn – Petry
Alzner – Jerabek
Morrow – Schlemko |
Out of the lineup |
Scratched: Chaput, Hutton, Dowd
Injured: Sutter, Horvat, Baertschi, Tanev |
Scratched: De La Rose
Injured: Weber, Hemsky, Montoya, Lehkonen |
Goalies |
Anders Nilsson |
Carey Price |
![](http://allhabs.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/AndersNilsson.jpg) |
![](http://allhabs.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/28dbdc0c-1869-44ba-b7ff-1fcc778a7e2b_TVASPORTS_WEB.jpg) |
Record: 6-4-1
GAA: 3.13
Sv%: .914
SO: 2
Alternate: Jacob Markstrom |
Record: 9-10-2
GAA: 2.99
Sv%: .905
SO: 1
Alternate: Antti Niemi |
What to Expect |
The Canadiens must notch a victory in this critical seven game road trip if they want a chance for a playoff spot.
Prediction: Canadiens 4 Canucks 1
With Shea Weber out of the lineup, the Habs will want to play in the Canucks end of the rink. |
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