Chiarot Will Sit | PREVIEW: ARI @ MTL

By
Rick Stephens
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GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Arizona Coyotes: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview 

A Look Back

All hope appeared to be lost after Chris Wideman took a late penalty with the Canadiens trailing 3-2. But Ben Chiarot crafted a masterful pass to Rem Pitlick who scored a short-handed goal in the final minute to force overtime. Cole Caufield  hammered a slap-shot past Carter Hart to silence the Philadelphia crowd.

Last game: MTL 4  PHI 3  F/OT

For a complete game recap: A Shocking Turn | RECAP: MTL @ PHI

Players to Watch

  • Rem Pitlick
    Pitlick has tallied seven points in his last five games and currently has a lofty shooting percentage of 22.2 percent for the season. The 24-year-old forward has contributed offensively but needs to significantly improve his play without the puck.
  • Ben Chiarot
    Chiarot is valued for his defensive work and physical game but has been producing at a point per game average in his last nine games, with two goals and seven assists. The 30-year-old defenceman has been playing extremely well in his final games in a Canadien sweater. Chiarot will not be in the lineup tonight against the Coyotes.
  • Jake Evans
    Evans has scored once and added four assists in his past seven games with a plus-4  rating. Evans is averaging almost 16 minutes per game in a bottom six role this season with a 47.7 percent success rate at the faceoff dot.

Keys to Victory

  • Limit opportunities
    The Coyotes’ offensive has come to life scoring 31 goals in their past six games. Arizona forward Lawson Crouse recorded his first career NHL hat trick on Monday night against the Senators.
  • Create offence
    Both teams rank near the bottom of the league on special teams. So this game is likely to be decided at even strength. The Canadiens must drive to the net to create grade ‘A’ scoring chances.
  • Protect the puck
    The Canadiens commit 10.81 giveaways per 60 minutes, second worst in the league. The head coach wants his players to react on their instincts but they must make better decisions.
Statistical Matchup for Game 60
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 15, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSAZX

2021-22  statistics
COYOTES CANADIENS
42 (30th) Points (rank) 40 (32nd)
19-36-4 Record 16-35-8
W1 Streak W1
7-3-0 Last 10 7-2-1
2.58 (29th) GF/G (rank) 2.46 (32nd)
3.54 (28th) GA/G (rank) 3.78 (32nd)
12.8 (32nd) PP% (rank) 13.0 (31st)
73.2 (30th) PK%  (rank) 73.7 (29th)
47.8  Faceoff % 47.8
Pre-game Quotes
Paul Byron on Ben Chiarot

  • “He’s a guy you win playoff series with. He’s been a great player for us. He’s taken a more offensive role on our team and leadership so it’s been fun watching him grow his game the last few years.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Keller – Boyd – Schmaltz
Crouse – Galchenyuk – Kessel
Ritchie – Hayton – Eriksson
Maccelli – Nash – Carcone		 Hoffman – Suzuki – Gallagher
Caufield – R. Pitlick – Lehkonen
Byron – Evans – Armia
Pezzetta – Perreault – Dauphin
Defensemen
Gostisbehere – Mayo
Moser – Stralman
Kolyachonok – Capobianco		 Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Romanov
Schueneman – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: O’Brien, Lyubushkin, Soderstrom, Larsson
Injured: Timmins, Beagle, Jaskin, Larsson, Ladd, Roussel, Fischer, Chychrun Hutton, Wedgewood		 Scratched: Ylonen, Chiarot
Injured: Anderson (lower-body), Poehling (upper-body), Clague (upper-body), Hammond (lower-body), T. Pitlick (undisclosed), Dvorak (upper-body), Savard (ankle), Allen (lower-body), Drouin (wrist), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka Sam Montembeault
Sam Montembeault
Record: 9-22-1
GAA: 3.37
Sv%: .905
SO: 1
Alternate: Scott Wedgewood		 Record: 7-12-5
GAA: 3.60
Sv%: .897
SO: 1
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
While these two franchises find themselves at the bottom of the standings, each team has been playing very well of late. The Coyotes have won five of six contests in the month of March knocking off Colorado and Toronto along the way.

Bottom Line

The Canadiens are riding a high after the overtime win over Philadelphia. The Habs had a day off on Monday and need to ensure that they don’t have a letdown against the Coyotes.
 Video Highlights

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