Canadiens – Flyers: Habs Maintain Focus | GAME 3 PREVIEW

August 16, 2020

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 5 PHI 0 F The Habs came out flying and, after getting an early two goal lead from Tomas Tatar and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, they didn’t look back. In the second the Habs scored an early power-play goal but then got into some penalty trouble of their own. Weber, who turned 35 the day of the game, set the tone on the penalty-kill along with Carey Price. A short time later it was Joel Armia banking the puck off a defenders skate and in chasing Carter Hart for the night. With a commanding 4-0 lead the Habs didn’t let up, they continued to play physical and Kotkaniemi found the back of the net for a second time. Price was excellent in the game stopping all 30 shots and made key stops when the Habs needed him the most.

For a complete game recap: Habs Dominate Philly | GAME 2 RECAP

Players to watch

Ben Chiarot
Chariot has been one of the most physical players for the Habs. But what is most impressive is who he is doing it against. The Flyers top line can’t get going and if anyone gets near Price, Chariot has taken them out..
Victor Mete
Mete had his best game in a long time for the Habs. Getting time on the second power-play unit gave him an opportunity and he made the most of it. Hopefully this can help him with his 5-on-5 play.
Jonathan Drouin
Drouin along with linemates Jesperi Kotaniemi and Max Domi made an impact. Drouin led the team with four giveaways. Playing with this line could boost Drouin’s confidence and raise the level of his play.

Keys to Victory

Brace for Philly start
After a dominating performance the Habs know they will have to be ready as the Flyers look to comeback with vengeance.
Be physical
Expect game three to get a little nasty. At this point it’s anyone’s series to win and both teams will be looking to send a message.
Continue to win special teams
If the Habs special teams can repeat their performance of last game they will have a great chance to go up in the series.

Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON \| August 16, 8:00 PM ET \| TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NBCSN
	2019-20 statistics
FLYERS	2019-20 statistics	CANADIENS
89 (6th)	Points (rank)	71 (24th)
41-21-7	Record	31-31-9
25-6-4	Home	14-17-6
9-1-0	Last 10	4-5-1
3.29	GF/G	2.93
2.77	GA/G	3.10
20.8	PP%	17.7
81.8	PK%	78.7
51.24	CF%	51.02

Pre-game quotes
Interim head coach Kirk Muller “Just focus on us. We know they’ll make some changes, whatever they’ve got to do, but we’ve got to dial back in to our group.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Giroux – Couturier – Farabee Laughton – Hayes – Konecny Voracek – Grant – Aube-Kubel van Riemsdyk – Thompson – Pitlick	Tatar – Suzuki – Gallagher Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Armia Lehkonen – Danault – Byron Weise – Domi – Belzile
Defensemen
Provorov – Niskanen Sanheim – Myers Gostisbehere – Braun	Chiarot – Weber Kulak – Petry Ouellet – Mete
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Andreoff, Frost, Lindblom, Friedman, Hagg, Welinski, Zamula, Lyon, Ustimenko, Bunnaman Injured/Unfit to Play: Raffl	Scratched: Fleury, Poehling, Hudon, Folin, Juulsen, Olofsson, Primeau, McNiven, Weal Romanov (ineligible) Injured/Unfit to Play: Evans
Goalies
Carter Hart	Carey Price

Record: 24-13-3 GAA: – 2.42 Sv%: – .914 SO: 1 Alternate: Brian Elliot	Record: 27-25-6 GAA: – 2.79 Sv%: – .909 SO: 4 Alternate: Charlie Lindgren

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Flyers just got a wake up call and will come out flying and hitting. The Habs will have to weather the storm in the opening minutes but if they can get their legs going and stay out of the box they should be able to succeed at 5-on-5. Carey Price turns 33 today. Price has stolen every win so far in Toronto. This would be a perfect game to add another.