GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Flyers: Habs Chase Philly for Playoff Spot

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Rick Stephens
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GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 1  CHI 4  F   The Habs had a rough start. A miscue behind the net gave the Blackhawks an early lead, then blown coverage by the Habs defense gave Zack Smith his second of the game. The Habs got one back when Ilya Kovalchuk found Phil Danault. Max Domi took an ill-advised penalty that cost the Habs. Charlie Lindgren battled hard but his team didn’t give him much of a fighting chance.

For a complete game recap: One of Habs Worst Efforts this Season

Players to watch

  • Max Domi
    Domi was put in the doghouse after taking a bad penalty, even missing some power-play time. Domi knows he made a mistake and will hope to make up for it tonight.
  • Ilya Kovalchuk
    Its hard to say anything bad about Kovalchuk. He’s an offensive player that comes with defensive risks but his compete level and the use of body has been helpful as he continues to be productive for the Habs..
  • Shea Weber
    Weber is showing signs of frustration while enjoying a career year individual. He’s in a tough situation but his leadership is a big part of why the Habs compete every night.

Keys to Victory

  • Communicate clearly
    A lack of communication cost the Habs two goals last night. The Habs know they made mistakes and I expect a much more vocal team tonight.
  • Play with confidence
    Indecisiveness when things aren’t going well hurts a team and that was visible last night. The Habs must be more confident with their passing and ability to beat their opposition.
  • Score goals
    In the last eight games the Habs have only scored three goals once and that was in a losing effort. The depleted Habs lineup has lost its scoring touch and is a big reason they’ve fallen out of the playoffs.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA | January 16, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, NBCSP, ESPN+

2019-20 statistics
FLYERS CANADIENS
56 (12th) Points (rank) 47 (24th)
25-16-6 Record 20-21-7
15-3-4 Home/Away 11-9-3
4-5-1 Last 10 2-7-1
3.09 GF/G 3.00
2.98 GA/G 3.15
19.4 PP% 20.4
81.9 PK% 78.0
51.24  CF% 53.96
Pre-game quotes
Claude Julien on Wednesday’s loss to the Blackhawks

  • “We weren’t in the game at all. It’s as simple as that. They’re a team with good sticks. We made that clear before the game, and we weren’t in it. We were losing battles, we didn’t get to loose pucks, and we made bad decisions. We didn’t deserve that game.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Giroux – Hayes – Konecny
Raffl – Couturier – Voracek
van Riemsdyk – Laughton – Aube-Kubel
 Pitlick – Bunnaman – Farabee		 Tatar – Danault – Kovalchuk
 Domi – Suzuki – Armia
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Poehling
Cousins – Thompson – Weise
Defensemen
Provorov – Niskanen
Sanheim – Myers
Hagg – Friedman		 Chiarot – Weber
Scandella – Petry
Mete – Kulak
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Patrick, Lindblom, Hart, Gostisbehere, Braun
 Scratched: Weal, Fleury
Injured: Drouin, Byron, Gallagher
Goalies
Alex Lyon Carey Price
Record: 0-0-0
GAA: – 0.00
Sv%: – .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Brian Elliot		 Record: 18-16-4
GAA: – 2.87
Sv%: – .907
SO: 2
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Habs And Flyers both played last night, the Flyers are 4-5-1 in the last 10 and won in overtime last night. The Flyers are without their young starting goalie Carter Hart who’s week-to-week with a lower-body injury. With the Flyers playing last night the Habs should see the Flyers third goalie which is a perfect night for the Habs to get their offense back.
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