GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets, NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series

A Look Back

The effort simply wasn’t there as the Habs once again fell behind in the second period. While you can blame the referees, the Habs simply can’t score. What’s worse is how defeated the Habs look on the bench. They have an elite goalie keeping them in games they don’t belong in and can’t even generate a high-danger scoring opportunity. On top of that, there has been no fight at all.

Last game: MTL 0  TOR 4 | Leafs lead series 3-1

For a complete game recap: Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Habs Offence Gone Dry | GAME 4 RECAP

Players to Watch

• Tyler Toffoli
  The guy that lead the Habs in scoring has yet to score in the series and if he can’t perform like the regular season the Habs won’t make it to a game six.
• Josh Anderson
  Invisible since game one, Anderson’s name has barely been mentioned. He has the potential to change a game but hasn’t been given much of opportunity. He has to take it upon himself to make an impact every shift and make the Leafs know he’s coming for them every shift.
• Shea Weber
  If the Habs have any chance at all of winning they need someone from the backend to produce and who better the their captain. Weber didn’t have the best season by any means but if he can start a comeback for the ages no ones going to care about the past.

Keys to Victory

• Play desperation hockey
  The Habs have to do anything it takes to win tonight. That means hitting everything that moves, starting fights, bumping the Leafs goaltender and not sitting back ever.
• Put the puck in the net
  It’s as simple as that, the Habs need to start scoring. Not only will it boost their confidence that has to be at an all time low, it will make the Leafs second guess themselves as they have not been tested nearly enough on defence.
• Control the game
  The Habs haven’t controlled the game at any point in the series and that has to change. It’s time to take it to the Leafs, shoot from everywhere, crash the net and knock the Leafs off their game and start making them chase the play.

2020-21 Playoff statistics

• “We know what to expect. We know what we need to do. [The veteran] guys aren’t the only ones who need to step up. They definitely have an impact on our team with their actions and their words, but we’re going to need everybody. It’s that simple.”

Bottom Line