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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game: MTL 3  PIT 5  

The Canadiens took advantage of a bad start by Dallas. Nikita Scherbak scored a highlight reel goal. The most memorable part of the game was Andrew Shaw injuring himself while trying to deliver a hit. With his past concussion history, fans hope that he can make a recovery.

For a complete recap: Pens Too Strong for Habs

  • Tomas Plekanec
    Plekanec is surely missed with the Habs. On paper, it doesn’t appear that he has had the best transition to Toronto, with no points in his first seven games with the Leafs. But it is important to remember that Plekanec was not acquired as a goal scorer on the fifth best offensive team in the league.
  • James Van Riemsdyk
    With JVR piling up the points lately, the pending unrestricted free agent is putting himself in a good position to land himself a big payday in the off-season.
  • Mike Reilly
    Reilly has come as advertised. While he has continued to impress with his offense joining the rush or on the second wave of the power-play, his play in his own zone has been a train wreck at times.

Keys to Victory

  • Keep up the attack
    The Canadiens need to tap in to the emotion of a long-standing rivalry on Saturday night. It can be channeled in a positive way despite the difference in the standings.
  • Don’t suffer a let down
    The Habs can’t give up back-to-back goals against the Leafs, They’re an energy team that will roll if they get a couple in a row.
  • Make the quick out
    The Canadiens have given up far too many turnovers because they failed to get the puck out of their end fast.
Matchup by All Habs staff
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON | March 17, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, TVAS, SN, NHLN

2017-18 statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
91 (6th) Points (rank) 64 (26th)
42-22-7 Record 26-33-12
24-8-2 Home/Away 9-22-4
5-4-1 Last 10 3-3-4
3.27 GF/G 2.54
2.85 GA/G 3.10
22.4 PP% 21.1
82.2 PK% 75.4
 51.93  CF%  51.03
eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Hyman – Nylander – Johnsson
Marleau – Kadri – Marner
van Riemsdyk – Bozak – Brown
Moore – Plekanec – Kaspanen		 Byron – Drouin – Gallagher
Galchenyuk – De La Rose – Lehkonen
Scherbak – L. Shaw – Hudon
Deslauriers – McCarron – Carr
Defensemen
Rielly – Hainsey
Gardiner – Polak
Dermott – Carrick		 Reilly – Petry
Alzner – Juulsen
Benn – Lernout
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Leivo, Martin
Injured: Mathews, Komorov, Zaitsev, Andersen
 Scratched: Froese
Injured: Weber, Hemsky, Price, Pacioretty, Mete, Schlemko, Valiev, Danault, A. Shaw
Goalies
Curtis McElhinney Charlie Lindgren
Record: 9-4-1
GAA: 2.25
Sv%: .931
SO: 2
Alternate: Garret Sparks		 Record: 4-7-2
GAA: 2.95
Sv%: .907
SO: 2
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
Prediction: Canadiens 4  Maple Leafs 3 

The Leafs are, by far, the superior team, but the Habs can surprise them. Owning the puck at the start and maintaining a strong compete level will go far for the Habs. The Leafs are an extremely well-coached team and will come out strong each period.
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