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

A Look Back

Sam Montembeault held down the fort and helped carry the Canadiens to a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jackets on Wednesday night. The highlight was back-to-back breakaway stops. Arber Xhekaj found his third goal of the season on a well-placed wrist shot from the blue line. David Savard tipped in his first goal of the season on a heads-up play by Kirby Dach.

Last game: MTL 3  CBJ 1  F

For a complete game recap: Quiet Win in Columbus | RECAP: MTL @ CBJ

Players to Watch

• Arber Xhekaj
  With so much talent on the back end, management has been left with a difficult choice on who to rotate in and out of the line-up. The last four games have had fights and “The Sheriff” can do exactly that. The primary focus should be playing intelligent defense, but Xhekaj fits the role bringing size, vision and playing shut-down hockey.
• Jake Evans
  The 27-year-old Ontario native has been quiet this season only recording two points through 20 games. Although he isn’t producing, Evans bolsters the bottom-six and has been winning face-offs at a 53.2 percent success rate. After picking up an assist Wednesday night, this could spark some production in the young centreman.
• Kirby Dach
  The Saskatchewan native has found a home in Montreal and has unlocked his potential. Dach has 11 points in the last 10 games and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.The sizeable winger has been meshing with the group as a whole and the confidence is flowing.

Keys to Victory

• Limit odd man breaks
  Although the offense hasn’t been necessarily lacking, they need to find a balance between defense and offense to help out their net-minders.
• Apply pressure
  The Blackhawks are struggling defensively this season. Montreal can easily capitalize on this opportunity by jumping on all loose pucks and using their size to contain the offensive zone and utilize their offensive weapons to fatigue the opposition.
• Shoot the puck
  The Habs are averaging 30.8 shots a game and the proof is in the pudding. Throwing pucks on net creating rebounds or even scoring through traffic have validated this tactic. The Canadiens have been doing a great job jumping on loose pucks out front.

2022-23  statistics

• “I think anytime anybody gets traded from a team they want to have a good game against them and prove them wrong kind of but I’m just going there focused on the team game, being ready to play and enjoy it.”
• “I’m excited to be back. It will be nice to see some former Blackhawks teammates and members again.”

Bottom Line