Debut for Lagesson | PREVIEW: TOR @ MTL

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Sam Gerber
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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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It was a spirited battle Thursday night as the Habs kept the score close with one of the league’s best teams. Montreal didn’t prevail but neither team was at their best. Florida controlled a majority of the game and the Habs were in an uphill struggle. It was a good test for the Habs who will move forward and be ready for tonight’s game.

Last game: MTL 3  FLA 4  F

For a complete game recap: ‘A Fun Game to Play’ | RECAP: FLA @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Michael Pezzetta
    Pezzetta has made the most of lineup vacancies during a tough season for the Habs. Pezzetta will never become more than what he is, a 4th liner. He can keep his role if he brings energy, plays with physicality and makes smart decisions.
  • Cole Caufield
    Caufield missed two point blank scoring chances last game and was a defensive liability against the Bruins. Lapses happen with young players. It is important that Caufield focuses on his defensive game as the goals should continue to come. This balance will be key for his development.
  • David Savard
    Savard was very noticeable last game as he is quite familiar with the Panthers from previous stops. It will be necessary to see Savard stepping up the rest of the season and be a solid partner for Alexander Romanov.

Keys to Victory

  • Stay out of the box
    Taking more than three penalties a night should be a concern for the Habs. The team is playing with fire continuing that practice against high-powered offensive teams like Florida and Toronto. With the top power-play in the NHL, the Leafs can easily make them pay.
  • Be opportunistic
    The Habs were unable to generate many high-quality against the Panthers. Without the volume, it will be necessary for the Canadiens to finish the chances that they create.
  • Generate shots
    The Leafs don’t have the best goaltending at the moment. Pounding the puck on net, getting traffic in front, and pouncing on rebounds is exactly what the Habs need to do.
Statistical Matchup for Game 65
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 26, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, TVAS, SNE, SNO, SNW, ESPN+

2021-22  statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
85 (9th) Points (rank) 44 (32nd)
40-18-5 Record 17-37-10
W1 Streak L1
5-4-1 Last 10 4-3-3
3.65 (3rd) GF/G (rank) 2.52 (32nd)
3.02 (17th) GA/G (rank) 3.77 (32nd)
28.3 (1st) PP% (rank) 13.9 (30th)
84.4 (5th) PK%  (rank) 74.8 (28th)
55.8  Faceoff % 48.2
Pre-game Quotes
Trevor Letowski

  • “I think if you talk to the players — and that’s the most important thing — they’re excited coming into the rink.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Bunting – Matthews – Marner
Kerfoot – Tavares – Nylander
Mikheyev – Kampf – Engvall
Simmonds – Spezza – Blackwell		 Caufield – Suzuki – Anderson
R. Pitlick – Evans – Hoffman
Byron  – Dvorak – Armia
Pezzetta – Dauphin – T. Pitlick
Defensemen
Rielly – Lyubushkin
Brodie – Holl
Giordano – Liljegren		 Romanov – Savard
Lagesson – Edmundson
Schueneman – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Muzzin, Campbell, Kase, Sandin		 Scratched: Perreault, Barron
Injured: Petry (lower-body), Drouin (upper-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Poehling (upper-body), Clague (upper-body), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Erik Kallgren Jake Allen
Record: 2-1-1
GAA: 2.32
Sv%: .930
SO: 1
Alternate: Petr Mrazek		 Record: 6-16-4
GAA: 3.09
Sv%: .905
SO: 2
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
Nothing could be better than the Habs facing the Leafs on a Saturday night in Montreal.  The Leafs weren’t the biggest buyers at the deadline but made the acquisition of Mark Giordano to stabilize their backend and provide leadership. The Leafs didn’t fix their goaltending and the Habs should take advantage. The Habs showed that they can beat the Leafs this season and it’s time to do it again.

Bottom Line

The Leafs hate being pushed around, but that’s exactly what the Habs have to do to get them off their game.
 Video Highlights

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