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

A Look Back

Just when you think the Habs may have figured things out, reality comes back with  vengeance. It was a dismal effort once again with bounces not going the Habs way. It may be early in the season but it could be time to throw in the towel. The Habs currently have less than a one percent chance of making the playoffs but Bergevin will never wave the white flag. The stubbornness from the GM has haunted the Habs this season more than ever and it finally may be time for a changing of the guard.

Last game: MTL 3  WSH 6  F

For a complete game recap: ‘We Got Outplayed’ | RECAP: MTL @ WSH

Players to Watch

• Artturi Lehkonen
  Lehkonen might be the first big move that could happen if there is a change in Montreal. He is a defensive specialist who can provide offensively and can be extremely impactful in the playoffs. In the last five games, Lehkonen leads the Canadiens in goals, assists and points.
• Tyler Toffoli
  Toffoli is someone in the locker room who needs to step up. He is a proven winner and would be the first one to admit this season hasn’t started the way he planned. With a lack of leadership in the room Toffoli should be one to start leading by example on the ice.
• Chris Wideman
  The signing of Wideman has gone better than most would have expected. While he has provided help to the power-play at times, he has become a defensive liability and the Habs would be better suited to restrict his minutes in the defensive zone. That said, his offensive numbers will likely interest a team or two to possibly trade for him when the Habs officially become sellers.

Keys to Victory

• Be ready to play
  Competing from here on out on a nightly basis will be the question for the Habs. Not knowing what type of effort has become frustrating and that blame should be on the coach who’s in charge of having his team ready to go every night and that simply hasn’t been the case.
• Win special teams
  Every night the special teams battle will be impactful for the Habs. It could be their power-play or lack of one, or their penalty kill that continues to struggle. Either way good teams win special teams and the Habs will need to do that if they want to win some games.
• Create traffic
  The Sabres don’t have great goaltending but an NHL goalie will stop almost every perimeter shot that they can see. Habs have to keep it simple, win board battles, move the puck to the point and crash the net and hope to get a deflection or screen the netminder.

2021-22  statistics

• “He’s a big, mean player who’s tough to play against, and when he’s out on the ice, people know. He’s a vocal guy in the room, he brings a lot of good energy, and for him coming back in the lineup, he kind of solidifies our defense a little bit more. He’s a really good and important player for us.”

Bottom Line