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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game: MTL 4  DET 3  

The Canadiens fourth line stepped up with a pair of goals, and the defense made some key plays at the end of the game not allowing the Red Wings to tie it. The Habs were saved by a waived off goal which correctly, should not have counted.

For a complete recap: When a Win Isn’t a Win

Players to watch

  • Auston Matthews
    While watching the final game of the season, it will be hard not to watch Matthews. The question is, will the Habs have someone of his talent in the lineup next year?
  • Noah Juulsen
    Juulsen was one of the Canadiens best players last game and has played well since his recall. Juulsen’s commitment to the team and his career have been evident specifically making two painful shot blocks (by the same leg) in one shift. .
  • Alex Galchenyuk
    Galchenyuk has quietly had a very good season while the coach and GM publicly criticize him and put roadblocks in his way. Galchenyuk has an opportunity to hit the 20-goal plateau tonight.

Keys to Victory

  • Battle to the end
    The Canadiens need to compete until the end playing for roster spots and to show their fans that they don’t not take their positions for granted.
  • Be physical
    The Habs can remind the Maple Leafs that the rivalry still exists and put some doubts in their minds as they enter the playoffs.
  • Stay close
    The Leafs are likely to have a depleted lineup but they still will have a potent offense. Montreal needs to protect well in their own zone.
Matchup by All Habs staff
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON | April 7, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, TVAS

2017-18 statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
103 (7th) Points (rank) 71 (28th)
48-26-7 Record 29-39-13
28-10-2 Home/Away 11-25-4
6-4-0 Last 10 3-6-1
3.28 GF/G 2.54
2.81 GA/G 3.10
24.6 PP% 21.1
81.5 PK% 75.4
 49.85  CF%  50.50
eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Hyman – Matthews – Nylander
Marleau – Kadri – Marner
van Riemsdyk – Bozak – Brown
Komarov – Plekanec – Kapanen		 Byron – Drouin – Gallagher
Galchenyuk – De La Rose – Lehkonen
Rychel – L. Shaw – Carr
Deslauriers – McCarron – Froese
Defensemen
Rielly – Hainsey
Gardiner – Zaitsev
Dermott – Polak 		 Benn – Petry
Alzner – Lernout
Reilly – Juulsen
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Leivo, Moore, Carrick, Martin, Johnsson
Injured: 
 Scratched: Hudon, Schlemko
Injured: Weber, Hemsky, Pacioretty, Mete,  Danault, A. Shaw, Scherbak
Goalies
Frederik Andersen Carey Price
Record: 37-21-5
GAA: 2.82
Sv%: .917
SO: 5
Alternate: Curtis McElhinney		 Record: 16-25-7
GAA: 3.09
Sv%: .901
SO: 1
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
Prediction: Canadiens 3  Maple Leafs 4 

It is a bittersweet ending to a dreadful Habs season. It will be tough not to see the Habs in the playoffs but it was clear from the start of the season the Habs are missing key pieces and cannot compete for the Cup. That being said, it will be great to see the Canadiens give it all the got and put a beat down on the Leafs who have been focused on the playoffs for weeks.
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