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

A Look Back

The Kings made short work of a depleted lineup for the Habs that looked flat at home after a long road trip out West. Two quick goals midway through the first period were  enough for the Kings to be able to control the game. The Habs did show some fight in the third period with goals from Mike Hoffman and Cole Caufield but Alex Edler’s first of the year and an empty net goal by Adrian Kempe put the Habs away.

Last game: MTL 2  LAK 4  F

For a complete game recap: Reverse Retro Fail | RECAP: LAK @ MTL

Players to Watch

• Joel Armia
  The Habs continue to need more from Armia. The veteran forward could really benefit from a change of scenery but a trade now would mean minimal return for the Habs and could be quite difficult as Armia has two more years at $3.4 million.
• Christian Dvorak
  Another player the Habs need more from is Dvorak. At 26 years old, Dvorak is in the prime of his career and is playing top six minutes but the stats are of a third line player. With a lot of changes to be made to the Habs roster in the off season, Dvorak needs to show that he can produce at a higher level.
• Kirby Dach
  Dach has been held without a goal in thirteen games straight. Consistency in the NHL is key and he will need to find his scoring touch once again for the Habs to get back in the win column.

Keys to Victory

• Play with energy
  The Habs came out flat in return from their Western road trip. While that’s very common good teams find a way to not let the schedule get the better of them. The Habs will need to be much more energized tonight and find that compete level.
• Generate shots
  The Habs only mustered 22 shots last game including a lowly five in the first period. The Habs want to play fast and high offensive hockey. Only five shots in a period is inexcusable and the coaching staff should have woken the team up midway through the first period.
• Control the pace
  The Habs were caught chasing a majority of last game, and were on the wrong side of the possession stats. It was a tough game where a lot of things didn’t go right for the Habs so they know they will have to be much smarter and control the game a lot more tonight.

2022-23  statistics

• St. Louis said that he will go with the same lines that played the third period in Saturday’s game against the Kings.

Bottom Line