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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 4  VGK 3 (OT)    The Canadiens got an overtime win thanks to Paul Byron. He was set up by Max Domi who played a part in the last two goals after being terrible for most of the game. Phillip Danault also had a rollercoaster of a game getting a hattrick and being on the ice for all of the Vegas goals.  

For a complete game recap: Habs Find OT Magic in Vegas

Players to watch

  • Phillip Danault
    Hopefully Danault has some confidence now after scoring three against Vegas. Prior to that Danault was struggling with just two goals this season. 
  • Shea Weber
    The Canadiens will now have to turn to Niemi after Carey Price was putting on IR with an injury. It’s no secret that Niemi hasn’t played well at all this season. Hopefully, he can pull it together when the Habs need him.     
  • Max Domi
    Domi had disappeared for most of December until he set up the tying and winning goals against the Golden Knights. It will be interesting to see if there is any conflict between Domi and Aaron Ekblad after the pre-season incident.

Keys to Victory

  • Don’t take penalties
    The Panthers have a great power-play and the Habs have to stay out of the box. 
  • Score first
    The Canadiens tend to be a lot more confident after scoring the first one and will need to be while missing their star netminder.
  • Make better choices
    Montreal shooters manage to put a lot of shots each game but need to start being more selective by waiting for traffic or not aiming for the goalie’s chest. 
Matchup by All Habs staff
BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL | December 28, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-F

2018-19 statistics
PANTHERS CANADIENS
36 (22nd) Points (rank) 43 (14th)
15-14-6 Record 19-13-5
7-5-4 Home/Away 9-6-3
5-4-1 Last 10 7-3-0
3.26 GF/G 3.05
3.49 GA/G 3.16
28.2 PP% 12.7
77.8 PK% 77.5
50.63  CF%  54.48
 
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Huberdeau – Barkov – Dadonov
Vatrano – Borgstrom – Hoffman
Malgin – McCann – Brouwer
Haley – Sceviour – Hawryluk		 Drouin – Domi – Byron
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Shaw – Kotkaniemi – Lehkonen
Agostino – Chaput – Deslauriers
Defensemen
Yandle – Ekblad
Matheson – Weegar
Kiselevich – Pysyk		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Petrovic, Lammikko
Injured: McGinn, MacKenzie, Trocheck, Bjugstad
 Scratched: Peca, Hudon, Alzner
Injured: Armia, Schlemko, Price
Goalies
Roberto Luongo Antti Niemi
Record: 8-6-1
GAA: – 3.00
Sv%: – .905
SO: 1
Alternate: James Reimer		 Record: 4-3-1
GAA: – 4.14
Sv%: – .876
SO: 0
Alternate: Michael McNiven
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens star goaltender left practice early and has been ruled out for the rest of the road trip. It is devastating news as this is going to be one of the toughest stretches for the Habs. Niemi will have to perform to his best, which he hasn’t done all season long. The Habs have to start well, stay out of the box and make it easy for Niemi.  Shutting down Aleksander Barkov will be key.
Highlights from the NHL
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