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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 5  FLA 3     Led by Artturi Lehkonen and Tomas Tatar, the Canadiens picked up a much needed win in their first game following the Christmas break. Tatar had two goals and Lehkonen scored a timely game-winner with a perfect shot.   

For a complete game recap: Win Moves Habs Past Bruins

Players to watch

  • Victor Mete
    Mete is now getting the icetime and level of responsibility that he deserved earlier in the season. The confidence has led to much improved play. Mete is focused on getting shots to the net and is using his speed to beat players to the pucks. It has paid off for him as the coach trusted him out in the final minute last game.
  • Antti Niemi
    Niemi got the win against Florida but it wasn’t pretty. Niemi has struggled greatly this season but has relied on his teammates to bail him out. It will be a much different game against a top tier team like Tampa and Niemi will have to be at his best.    
  • Phillip Danault
    Following his hat trick against Vegas, Danault has renewed confidence. However the penalty he took on Aaron Ekblad late in the Panthers game just wasn’t very smart and almost cost the Canadiens the win. He’ll have to be much better tonight against Steven Stamkos.   

Keys to Victory

  • Keep it close
    The Canadiens are the obvious underdogs but if they can keep it close and get a bounce or two they could be surprise Tampa. 
  • Use your speed
    The Canadiens are always at their best when they play with speed and will need to push the pace against Tampa.
  • Play your game
    The Habs can’t compete playing Tampa’s style and will need to play their own game. 
Matchup by All Habs staff
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL | December 29, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, TVAS, SUN

2018-19 statistics
LIGHTNING CANADIENS
60 (1st) Points (rank) 45 (11th)
29-7-2 Record 20-13-5
16-4-0 Home/Away 10-6-3
9-0-1 Last 10 7-3-0
4.13 GF/G 3.11
2.92 GA/G 3.16
29.8 PP% 13.2
83.2 PK% 77.2
53.13  CF%  54.48
 
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Palat – Stamkos – Gourde
Johnson – Point – Kucherov
Killorn – Cirelli – Joseph
Erne – Paquette – Callahan		 Drouin – Domi – Byron
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Shaw
Agostino – Chaput – Deslauriers
Defensemen
Hedman – Girardi
McDonagh – Stralman
Coburn – Sergachev		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Koekkoek, Martel, Cernak
Injured: Miller
 Scratched: Peca, Hudon, Alzner
Injured: Armia, Schlemko, Price
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy Antti Niemi
Record: 13-3-2
GAA: – 2.53
Sv%: – .924
SO: 1
Alternate: Louis Domingue		 Record: 5-3-1
GAA: – 4.01
Sv%: – .877
SO: 0
Alternate: Michael McNiven
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens start will be even more important then last game. Tampa is capable of putting up many goals on any given night and the Habs defense will have to do their best to keep them in check. Shea Weber will have to lead by example on the backend and do his best to knock players off the puck. Tampa didn’t play last night and may be a slightly sluggish to start the game. Montreal will have to take advantage of this and have a great start that gets them a lead. With the Habs playing last night Tampa should take over as the game goes on but if the Habs get an early lead and can feed off that they could give Tampa a surprise. 
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