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

Sam Gerber

December 29, 2018

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 5 FLA 3 Led by Artturi Lehkonen and Tomas Tatar, the Canadiens picked up a much needed win in their first game following the Christmas break. Tatar had two goals and Lehkonen scored a timely game-winner with a perfect shot.

For a complete game recap: Win Moves Habs Past Bruins

Players to watch

Victor Mete
Mete is now getting the icetime and level of responsibility that he deserved earlier in the season. The confidence has led to much improved play. Mete is focused on getting shots to the net and is using his speed to beat players to the pucks. It has paid off for him as the coach trusted him out in the final minute last game.
Antti Niemi
Niemi got the win against Florida but it wasn’t pretty. Niemi has struggled greatly this season but has relied on his teammates to bail him out. It will be a much different game against a top tier team like Tampa and Niemi will have to be at his best.
Phillip Danault
Following his hat trick against Vegas, Danault has renewed confidence. However the penalty he took on Aaron Ekblad late in the Panthers game just wasn’t very smart and almost cost the Canadiens the win. He’ll have to be much better tonight against Steven Stamkos.

Keys to Victory

Keep it close
The Canadiens are the obvious underdogs but if they can keep it close and get a bounce or two they could be surprise Tampa.
Use your speed
The Canadiens are always at their best when they play with speed and will need to push the pace against Tampa.
Play your game
The Habs can’t compete playing Tampa’s style and will need to play their own game.

Matchup by All Habs staff
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL \| December 29, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: SN, TVAS, SUN
	2018-19 statistics
LIGHTNING	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
60 (1st)	Points (rank)	45 (11th)
29-7-2	Record	20-13-5
16-4-0	Home/Away	10-6-3
9-0-1	Last 10	7-3-0
4.13	GF/G	3.11
2.92	GA/G	3.16
29.8	PP%	13.2
83.2	PK%	77.2
53.13	CF%	54.48



Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Palat – Stamkos – Gourde Johnson – Point – Kucherov Killorn – Cirelli – Joseph Erne – Paquette – Callahan	Drouin – Domi – Byron Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Shaw Agostino – Chaput – Deslauriers
Defensemen
Hedman – Girardi McDonagh – Stralman Coburn – Sergachev	Mete – Weber Reilly – Petry Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Koekkoek, Martel, Cernak Injured: Miller	Scratched: Peca, Hudon, Alzner Injured: Armia, Schlemko, Price
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy	Antti Niemi

Record: 13-3-2 GAA: – 2.53 Sv%: – .924 SO: 1 Alternate: Louis Domingue	Record: 5-3-1 GAA: – 4.01 Sv%: – .877 SO: 0 Alternate: Michael McNiven

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Canadiens start will be even more important then last game. Tampa is capable of putting up many goals on any given night and the Habs defense will have to do their best to keep them in check. Shea Weber will have to lead by example on the backend and do his best to knock players off the puck. Tampa didn’t play last night and may be a slightly sluggish to start the game. Montreal will have to take advantage of this and have a great start that gets them a lead. With the Habs playing last night Tampa should take over as the game goes on but if the Habs get an early lead and can feed off that they could give Tampa a surprise.

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2018-19 statistics