On this day in hockey history… 1985 – Montreal Canadiens defenseman Larry Robinson scored the only hat trick of his 20 year NHL career, in a 5-4 Canadiens’ loss to the Quebec Nordiques.
Matchup
Montreal
CANADIENS
Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO Dec 19, 8:00 PM ET TV: RDS
St. Louis
BLUES
45 Points / 2nd (Atlantic)
Points/Position
48 Points / 2nd (Central)
21-12-3
Record
22-7-4
12-7-2
Home
13-3-2
9-5-1
Away
9-4-2
7-3-0
Last 10
5-4-1
2.47
G/G
3.36
2.03
GA/G
2.39
22.4
PP%
23.1
87.2
PK%
84.5
Projected Line Combinations and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Max Pacioretty – David Desharnais – Brendan Gallagher
Alex Galchenyuk – Tomas Plekanec – Brian Gionta
Michael Bournival – Lars Eller – Brandon Prust
Rene Bourque – Ryan White – Travis Moen
Jaden Schwartz – T.J. Oshie – Alex Steen
Magnus Paajarvi – Patrik Berglund – Vladimir Tarasenko
Chris Porter – Derek Roy – Chris Stewart
Brenden Morrow – Maxim Lapierre – Adam Cracknell
Defensemen
Andrei Markov – P.K. Subban
Josh Gorges – Alexei Emelin
Douglas Murray – Raphael Diaz
Alex Pietrangelo – Jay Bouwmeester
Kevin Shattenkirk – Barret Jackman
Roman Polak – Ian Cole
Goalies
Carey Price(Confirmed)
Jaroslav Halak(Confirmed)
Record: 16-10-2 GAA: 1.96 Sv%: 0.936 SO: 2 Alternate: Peter Budaj
Record: 16-6-2 GAA: 2.35 Sv%: .908 SO: 2 Alternate: Brian Elliott
Scratches
Davis Drewiske (shoulder), George Parros (head), Francis Bouillon (healthy scratch), Daniel Briere (healthy scratch)
Ryan Reaves (broken hand), Jordan Leopold (hand), David Backes (upper-body), Vladimir Sobotka (upper-body)
Featured Matchup
31 – Carey Price (G)
41 – Jaroslav Halak (G)
Height: 6-3 Weight: 209 Born: August 16, 1987 Birth Place: Anahim Lake, British Columbia Draft: 2005 1ˢᵗ round (5ᵗʰ pick) by the Montreal Canadiens
Height: 5-10 Weight: 186 Born: May 13, 1985 Birth Place: Bratislava, Czechoslovakia Draft: 2003 9ᵗʰ round (271ˢᵗ pick) by the Montreal Canadiens
Carey Price is having one hell of a season so far. He’s faced the fourth most shots (843), has made the third most saves (789), has the third best Sv% (.936) and the fourth best GAA (1.96) in the entire league. Price has won 9 of his last 11 starts this season.
Jaroslav Halak has the luxury of playing in front of a defense that has allowed him to only have to face 30 or more shots three times this season. Although Elliott has boasted better numbers, Halak has been the go to guy this season and has a respectable 2.35 GAA, .908 Sv% and 2 shutouts. It’s been more difficult for him as of late, losing in 3 of his last 5 outings.
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