GAME DAY | Blues – Canadiens: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 7  DET 3  

The Habs big guns came to play, and didn’t look back after getting an early lead. Tomas Tatar had a three-point game versus his former team and Tomas Plekanec scored in his 1000th NHL game. Jonathan Drouin picked up two special teams goals. The Canadiens used their speed right from the start and frustrated the winless Wings.

For a complete game recap: Habs Plekanec Writes His Story

Players to watch

  • Jeff Petry
    Petry has been a solid contributor to the Canadiens offence this season, with five points in five games. Playing against a much more physical opponent tonight, it will be important for Petry to absorb the hits and to move the puck fast.
  • Max Domi
    Domi has assumed the role of a playmaker early this season with four assists. Montreal would like him to score as well. Given his experience in the Western Conference it would be appropriate for him to get his first goal of the season against the Blues.
  • Victor Mete
    Mete has been on the ice for more goals against than any other Canadiens defenceman this season. As such, Mete will watch from the press box tonight as Karl Alzner makes his first appearance of the season. 

Keys to Victory

  • Use their speed
    The Canadiens showed their speed against the Wings last game, something they will be able to use once more against a slightly slower Blues team.
  • Break quickly
    The Blues love to disrupt the breakout and generate offence from turnovers. The Habs have to have a quick breakout not get pinned in their own end. Montreal should look to stretch the ice with long passes.
  • Capitalize on special teams
    The Habs special teams struggled once again against Detroit. The power-play needs to be more of a threat and the penalty kill has to perfect against the Blues.  
Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 17, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN1, RDS, FS-MW

2018-19 statistics
BLUES CANADIENS
2 (30th) Points (rank) 5 (18th)
1-2-2 Record 3-1-1
0-2-1 Away/Home 1-1-0
0-3-2 Last 10 2-1-1
2.20 GF/G 2.50
4.40 GA/G 2.50
26.7 PP% 11.8
78.9 PK% 81.8
48.22  CF%  56.65
eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Kyrou – O’Reilly – Tarasenko
Schwartz – Schenn – Perron
Steen – Bozak – Maroon
Blais – Barbashev – Sanford		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Drouin – Domi – Lehkonen
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Hudon – Plekanec – Peca
Defensemen
Bouwmeester – Pietrangelo
Edmundson – Parayko
Dunn – Schmaltz		 Alzner – Petry
Reilly – Juulsen
 Ouellet – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Jerabek, Thomas
Injured: Bortuzzo, Fabbri, Gunnarsson, Soshnikov, Sundqvist
 Scratched: Mete, Scherbak, Shaw (flu)
Injured: Weber, Schlemko, Deslauriers
Goalies
Jake Allen Carey Price
Record: 1-1-2
GAA: – 4.13
Sv%: – .878
SO: 0
Alternate: Chad Johnson		 Record: 1-1-1
GAA: – 2.32
Sv%: – .909
SO: 0
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Blues had a big off-season, highlighted by the acquisition of Ryan O’Reilly which solidified the Blues center depth. O’Reilly is a matchup nightmare, and the Habs centers will be in tough against him, Brayden Schenn and Tyler Bozak. The Blues have a combination of size and some speed that will be a big test for the Habs. The Habs should still have the speed advantage and will need to push the pace. The Blues are very consistent team much like the Kings and the Habs will need to have a much better outing than they had against the Kings if they want to beat the Blues. Winning the special teams battle could be the deciding factor in the game for the Habs.   
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