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

Sam Gerber

October 20, 2017

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber, Staff Writer

Last game: LAK 5 MTL 1

A third period collapse is to blame for this blowout loss. Habs netminder Al Montoya was very good for 40 minutes stopping 30 of 31 shots in the first two periods. The Canadiens were being outworked in their own end throughout the game but took unnecessary risks in the third resulting in odd man rushes for the Kings. The Habs had a great first period against the Kings and will need to repeat that performance in all three periods tonight versus the Ducks.

For a complete recap: Canadiens – Kings: The Wheels Are Officially Off

Players to watch

Canadiens third line
Paul Byron, Philip Danault, Andrew Shaw formed the Habs best line on Thursday using their speed on the forecheck to create turnovers. They were responsible for Montreal’s lone goal of the game. Look for this line to get extra ice time in tonight’s game creating energy each shift.
Corey Perry
Perry has been a member of the Ducks since 2005. He is always entertaining to watch and the Habs will want to keep a close eye on him.
Richard Rakell
Due to injuries Rakell is playing as the Ducks No. 1 center. After a 51-point season in 2016-17, he has been given a great opportunity. He is off to a good start with four points in six games.

Keys to Victory

Don’t let up
Montreal will need to play three full periods and can’t afford to be pushed around.
Smart decisions
Habs players will need to make smart decisions with the puck, especially pinching by defensemen.
Be decisive
Habs players need to shoot the puck when they are in a high scoring chance without hesitation.

Matchup
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA \| October 20, 10:00 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, PRIME
	2017-18 statistics
DUCKS	2017-18 statistics	CANADIENS
5 (22nd)	Points (rank)	3 (30th)
2-3-1	Record	1-5-1
2-2-1	Home/Away	1-4-0
2-3-1	Last 10	1-5-1
2.00	GF/G	1.43
2.83	GA/G	3.86
0.0	PP%	7.7
82.8	PK%	76.9
45.92	CF%	52.54


Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Cogliano – Rakell – Silfverberg Ritchie – Vermette – Perry Wagner – Grant – Shaw Kerdiles – Rasmussen – Boll	Pacioretty – Drouin – Galchenyuk Lehkonen – Plekanec – Hemsky Byron – Danault – Shaw Hudon – De La Rose – Gallagher Expected scratches: Mitchell
Defensemen
Fowler – Manson Beauchemin – Montour Megna – Holzer	Mete – Weber Alzner – Petry Morrow – Benn Expected scratches: Davidson, Schlemko
Goalies
John Gibson	Carey Price

Record: 2-2-1 GAA: 2.66 Sv%: .924 SO: 0 Alternate: Reto Berra	Record: 1-4-1 GAA: 3.56 Sv%: .885 SO: 0 Alternate: Al Montoya

What to Expect

Montreal must take advantage of the injury-hampered Ducks by attacking players who are playing a larger role than usual. If successful, the Habs can roll to an easy victory.

Prediction

If the Canadiens take the Ducks lightly they will go home without getting a single point on the California road trip.

Highlights from the NHL

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2017-18 statistics