Allen Returns | PREVIEW: DAL @ MTL

By
Cole Jurzyniec
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GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Dallas Stars: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Canadiens fell behind quickly with the Coyotes scoring twice in a two minute span. Goaltending and defensive zone coverage were issues. Cole Caufield made things interesting scoring twice in eight seconds. But Arizona cruised to victory.

Last game: MTL 3  ARI 6  F

For a complete game recap: Bad Start | RECAP: ARI @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Joel Armia
    Armia picked up two assists against the Yotes including a power-play point. While the 28-year-old has just nine points in 44 games, he has generated calls to Kent Hughes based on his playoff potential.
  • Alexander Romanov
    The 22-year-old defenseman is getting additional ice-time which will help his development. Romanov leads the team 183 hits and 97 blocked shots.
  • Jake Allen
    Allen is slated to start in goal for the first time since January 12th after missing 25 games with a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old enters the game having lost nine of his last 10 starts.

Keys to Victory

  • Manage faceoffs
    The Stars are second in the league in faceoff percentage. Canadiens wingers will have to prepare for lost draws especially in the defensive zone.
  • Inject confidence
    Canadiens’ goaltenders have averaged an .895 save percentage in the past 10 games. While Allen has struggled this season with just five wins in 23 games, his return should provide a boost to his teammates.
  • Contain Pavelski
    Joe Pavelski has recorded nine goals, 12 assists for 21 points in 20 games against the Canadiens. Pavelski had a goal and an assist when the two teams met on January 18th. The Canadiens will have to pay special attention to him.
Statistical Matchup for Game 61
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 17, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSSW

2021-22  statistics
STARS CANADIENS
67 (17th) Points (rank) 40 (32nd)
32-23-3 Record 16-36-8
L3 Streak L1
5-4-1 Last 10 6-3-1
2.88 (20th) GF/G (rank) 2.47 (32nd)
2.95 (15th) GA/G (rank) 3.82 (32nd)
23.4 (11th) PP% (rank) 13.3 (31st)
78.4 (19th) PK%  (rank) 73.8 (29th)
55.0  Faceoff % 47.8
Pre-game Quotes
Jake Allen 

  • “Individually, it’s just for me to finish the year on the right foot, on a positive foot. I understand it’s not going to be perfect right away. It’s something I’m going to have to build over a couple of games to get back and go from there.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Robertson – Hintz – Pavelski
Peterson – Seguin – Glendening
Studenic – Benn – Gurianov
Raffl – Faksa – Radulov		 Hoffman – Suzuki – Gallagher
Caufield – R. Pitlick – Lehkonen
Byron – Evans – Armia
Pezzetta – Dvorak – Dauphin
Defensemen
Suter – Hakanpaa
Lindell – Klingberg
Harley – Hanley		 Edmundson – Petry
Romanov – Kulak
Schueneman – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Kiviranta
Injured: Holtby, Sekera		 Scratched:
Injured: Anderson (lower-body), Poehling (upper-body), Clague (upper-body), Hammond (lower-body), T. Pitlick (undisclosed), Savard (ankle), Drouin (wrist), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Jake Oettinger Jake Allen
Record: 19-9-1
GAA: 2.45
Sv%: .918
SO: 1
Alternate: Adam Scheel		 Record: 5-16-2
GAA: 3.15
Sv%: .901
SO: 2
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The Canadiens offense has perked up scoring an averaged of 3.8 goals per game in the last 10. Dallas will be looking to end their three game losing streak.

Bottom Line

While Ben Chiarot and Tyler Toffoli have already been moved, several Habs players will still be scrutinized up until Monday’s trade deadline. Auditioning for potential new roles could provide positive performances.
 Video Highlights

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