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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 5  TBL 6     A back and forth game that saw the Habs compete against the NHL’s best. The Canadiens got off to a quick start. That said, the Lightning played one of their worst games of the year for two periods. By the third, Tampa found their game and completed the comeback. Antti Niemi had plenty of goal support but only got more shaky as the game went on. Niemi has had a rough season but this game may have been his low point so far.   

For a complete game recap: Can’t Get a Save

Players to watch

  • Shea Weber
    With Carey Price out with injury, Shea Weber is the Habs leader. Weber has made a world of a difference to the team since coming back earlier than expected.
  • Antti Niemi
    Niemi needs to be much, much better. He has been giving up far too many weak goals. Even when Niemi isn’t giving up goals, he has been too casual with rebounds causing the Canadiens to be pinned in their own zone. With time off, Niemi should be well rested and has to play much better.    
  • Andrew Shaw
    Shaw is having a very good season and his confidence is showing. By staying healthy Shaw may be able to put up career best numbers.   

Keys to Victory

  • Stay out of the box
    The Stars have a lot of offensive weapons and a decent power-play. 
  • Get physical
    The Canadiens blueline is not very physical besides Shea Weber. It is important the defense show they won’t get pushed around against a big Stars team.
  • Limit chances
    Given Antti Niemi’s struggles, the Habs will have to limit scoring chances and clear the numerous rebounds. 
Matchup by All Habs staff
American Airlines Arena, Dallas, TX | December 31, 8:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-SW+

2018-19 statistics
STARS CANADIENS
43 (17th) Points (rank) 45 (14th)
20-16-3 Record 20-14-5
12-5-1 Home/Away 10-7-3
4-6-0 Last 10 6-4-0
2.72 GF/G 3.15
2.64 GA/G 3.23
20.0 PP% 13.6
82.5 PK% 77.0
46.12  CF%  54.38
 
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Benn – Seguin – Gurianov
Janmark – Hintz – Radulov
Comeau – Faksa – Comeau
Shore – Spezza – Nichushkin		 Drouin – Domi – Byron
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Shaw
Agostino – Chaput – Deslauriers
Defensemen
Lindell – Klingberg
Heiskanen – Polak
Carrick – Honka		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Ritchie
Injured: Methot, Johns, Dickinson, Fedun
 Scratched: Peca, Hudon, Alzner
Injured: Armia, Schlemko, Price
Goalies
Ben Bishop Antti Niemi
Record: 13-9-1
GAA: – 2.25
Sv%: – .926
SO: 2
Alternate: Anton Khudobin		 Record: 5-4-1
GAA: – 4.21
Sv%: – .870
SO: 0
Alternate: Michael McNiven
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Dallas Stars have been an ongoing soap opera following comments from their CEO about their best players, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Both players haven’t had the best season and the CEO believes enough is enough. This will either light a fire under both of the players or could have the reverse effect. This is the last game of the road trip for the Habs and a big win would be the perfect way to end 2018. 
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