Drouin Returns | PREVIEW: MTL @ OTT

By
Cole Jurzyniec
-
1
62
Ottawa

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Ottawa
Game Preview 

A Look Back

Thanks to the Jakes, both clubs had prime chances to steal this contest. Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom both posted a save percentage over .970 and collectively made 71 saves to keep their respective teams in the game. Quebec native Jonathan Huberdeau netted the only goal for Calgary and scored in the shootout at the Bell Centre. Josh Anderson poked one in after a heads-up pass from Juraj Slafkovsky. The show was stolen by the young talent of Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach ending a close contest with a few well-placed shots in the shootout.

Last game: MTL 2  CGY 1  F/SO

For a complete game recap: Dach With Shootout Winner | RECAP: CGY @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Josh Anderson
    The former 2012 fourth-round pick has been playing a 200-foot game as of late. The 6-foot-3-inch winger started off the season very quietly but has made a resurgence scoring three goals in the past four games. With this type of production, it will greatly increase Anderson’s value if management decides to facilitate a trade.
  • Jordan Harris
    The 22-year-old has been playing exceptional defense for the Canadiens. His speed and puck moving abilities are highlighted every matchup and it has translated into four assists in four games. Harris carries the puck with confidence and creates opportunity which has led the team to victory on multiple occasions this season.
  • Jake Evans
    With some key players out of the line-up, Evans has been relied on to take longer minutes and it was tested against the Flames. He played 6:39 more against Calgary than his previous game against the Kings on December 10th. Although Evans is not producing at an staggering rate, he is bolstering the bottom-six winning key faceoffs and has been a huge part in the penalty-killing success.

Keys to Victory

  • Win power-play
    The Canadiens went 0-for-7 on the powerplay against the Flames which has placed them 30th in the league on the man-advantage. They have got to find a system that works playing with an extra player and become more consistent. With a shaky power-play the Canadiens will struggle down the road to find success..
  • Strike early
    The Senators are highly effective in the offensive end. The Habs will need to focus on applying early pressure and playing a clean defensive style of hockey. Shutting down Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux, Drake Batherson and Alex DeBrincat will be key in allowing the Canadiens to attain offensive pressure.
  • Keep your head up
    The Flames put the Canadiens young squad to the test with a series of hits throughout the match laying exactly 25 hits. The pesky Senators are currently sitting 5th in the league for hitting with a generous team effort of 824 total. The Habs will have to play with authority and prepare for an aggressive matchup.
Statistical Matchup for Game 29
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON | December 14, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS, ESPN+

2022-23  statistics
SENATORS CANADIENS
26 (26th) Points (rank) 30 (21st)
12-14-2 Record 14-12-2
W2 Streak W1
6-3-1 Last 10 5-4-1
3.07 (17th) GF/G (rank) 2.86 (25th)
3.18 (18th) GA/G (rank) 3.46 (23rd)
27.4 (6th) PP% (rank) 14.4 (30th)
78.6 (17th) PK% (rank) 80.8 (10th)
53.6  Faceoff % 51.1
Pre-game Quotes
Marty St. Louis on Juraj Slafkovsky

  • “In the NHL, things go so fast. You need to think quickly and make a decision. So I don’t think he has to shoot more, but rather make decisions faster.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Brassard – Giroux
DeBrincat – Pinto – Batherson
Lucchini – Chartier – Gambrell
Kelly – Kastelic – Watson		 Caufield – Suzuki – Dach
Slafkovsky – Evans – Anderson
Dadonov – Dvorak – Hoffman
Pezzetta – Drouin – Armia
Defensemen
Chabot – Zaitsev
Sanderson – Hamonic
Brannstrom – Holden		 Edmundson – Guhle
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Heatherington
Injured: Joseph, Zub, Bernard-Docker, Norris, Stutzle, Motte		 Scratched: Pitlick
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee),  Matheson (undisclosed), Gallagher (lower-body), Savard (upper-body injury), Monahan (lower-body)
Goalies
Cam Talbot Sam Montembeault
Record: 6-7-0
GAA: 2.55
Sv%: .917
SO: 1
Alternate: Anton Forsberg		 Record: 5-2-2
GAA: 2.97
Sv%: .908
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Senators will be flying out of the gate with an aggressive, shut-down style of hockey and the Canadiens will have to man the defensive zone and create fast-moving offense to contend with their divisional rival who are currently resting at the bottom.  The Sens place in the standings should not be overlooked by the Habs as they’ve put together a sizeable and skilled team who play with heart.

Bottom Line

The Canadiens have found themselves in a weird place this season. On one hand they could fight for a wild-card spot and on the other, focus on development and increase their lottery odds in a deep 2023 draft. Either way the team is putting on a show and have won six out of eight games that have gone to extra time or a shoot-out, just proving that this young squad can play under immense pressure and come out with a victory.
 Video Highlights

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1 COMMENT

  1. salut-bien chers amis,
    gonna be tough one
    sens play CH tough.always have.
    pitlick out,drouin in?non.not my cup of tea,,,
    little CH32 plays with somethin CH27 has yet to secure
    Heart,,,
    bonne match a soir
    en provenance du Canadien Tire Centre
    Odawa
    cheers/portez-vous bien
    familleCH,

Comments are closed.