Hoffman Gets a Promotion | PREVIEW: MTL @ BUF

By
Sam Gerber
-
0
50

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It was a hard fought battle for the Habs who played a competitive game against a strong Wild team. It took the Habs a period to settle into the game but costly mistakes ended up being the difference. Cole Caufield scored his fifth goal of the season while Mike Hoffman who had a chance to be the hero but failed on a penalty shot attempt.

Last game: MTL 1  MIN 3  F

For a complete game recap: Mistake-Filled Effort | RECAP: MIN @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Josh Anderson
    A change in the lines might benefit Anderson who’s off to a slow start this season. Anderson averages more than half a point a game but does so inconsistently. Finding a way for Anderson to be a consistent player in the NHL is what could change Anderson from being a good player to a great player.
  • Johnathan Kovacevic
    Kovacevic has been very consistent for the Habs since being acquired on waivers. The defenceman has a big frame and is surprisingly mobile for his size. Kovacevic may  have made a bad mistake last game but he should continue to see action as he learns a new system on the fly.
  • Sean Monahan
    Monahan is becoming more noticeable each game. It’s apparent that his hip issues in the past were holding him back. The Habs made a great deal to get Monahan. It should pay off again when the Habs deal Monahan at this year’s trade deadline.

Keys to Victory

  • Start strong
    The Habs weren’t fully ready in the first last game and that can’t happen. With a young team the coaching staff needs to communicate a clear game plan to ensure that all members of the team bring their best game right from opening puck drop.
  • Limit mistakes
    A couple bad plays for the Habs were enough for the Wild to take advantage. The Habs must play as much mistake-free hockey as possible if they are hoping to surprise some who think the Habs are the same team that finished last in 2021-’22.
  • Win special teams
    The Habs power-play continues to struggle. The Habs have enough high-end talent that their power-play should be a top 10 one in the league.
Statistical Matchup for Game 8
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY | October 27, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, MSG-B

2022-23  statistics
SABRES CANADIENS
8 (10th) Points (rank) 6 (25th)
4-2-0 Record 3-4-0
L1 Streak L2
4-2-0 Last 10 3-4-0
3.83 (4th) GF/G (rank) 2.43 (29th)
2.67 (7th) GA/G (rank) 3.00 (17th)
13.6 (25th) PP% (rank) 4.8 (31st)
76.2 (23rd) PK% (rank) 85.7 (8th)
51.2  Faceoff % 51.9
Pre-game Quotes
Kaiden Guhle on Joel Edmundson

  • “[Joel Edmundson] looks great on the ice. I’m sure he’s ready and excited to play. He will bring a lot of calm and confidence to our young group. Whenever we can get help, we take it. It’s exciting to see him back.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Skinner – Thompson – Tuch
Asplund – Mittelstadt – Olofsson
Hinostroza – Cozens – Peterka
Quinn – Girgensons – Okposo		 Caufield – Suzuki – Hoffman
Monahan – Dach – Drouin
Anderson – Dvorak – Gallagher
Pitlick – Evans – Dadonov
Defensemen
Dahlin – Lyubushkin
Power – Bryson
Pilut – Clague		 Guhle – Savard
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Jokiharju, Sheahan, Samuelsson		 Scratched: Pezzetta
Injured: Matheson (abdominal strain), Armia (upper-body), Edmundson (back), Heineman (finger), Byron (hip), Price (knee), Slafkovsky (wrist)
Goalies
Eric Comrie Sam Montembeault
Record: 2-2-0
GAA: 3.51
Sv%: .908
SO: 0
Alternate: Craig Anderson		 Record: 1-1-0
GAA: 2.48
Sv%: .912
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
Two teams off to what some believe are surprising starts should compete in a high scoring match. Both teams have players that can score. The Habs have to be careful as former first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin leads the charge for the Sabres with nine points in six games.

Bottom Line

Goaltending could be the difference. Sam Montembeault needs to step up his game to be a difference-maker in tonight’s game.
 Video Highlights

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR