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

Sam Gerber

October 23, 2018

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 3 OTT 4 (OT)

The Habs had a hot start executing their game plan on all cylinders, leaving them with a 3-1 lead after the first. In the second they completely fell apart with the Sens scoring twice. The third period both teams played conservatively trying to act least get one point, and in overtime the Canadiens were beaten consistently to the puck. After stopping the Senators from an almost sure goal, Phillip Danault lost another defensive zone faceoff. Mark Stone was left uncovered and proceeded to one-time a perfect shot off the post. Montreal headed home knowing that they let this one get away.

For a complete game recap: Sens Squeeze Past Habs in OT

Players to watch

Victor Mete
After being a healthy scratch last game, Mete jumps back into the line-up for Karl Alzner. His speed is the biggest reason he’s able to play in the NHL something he’ll need to use a lot more to keep his spot.
Paul Byron
Byron is always a little more motivated to play the Flames given that they were the team that placed him on waivers. Byron will defiantly be involved early and will do his best to control his emotions.
Carey Price
Price will have another opportunity to tie Patrick Roy for second in all-time wins for the Canadiens. Despite the chatter from the usual haters, Price has had an excellent start to the season.

Keys to Victory

Win faceoffs
The Habs have been terrible on faceoffs, sitting last in the league. It has started to be a factor in games. If the centers can’t win a faceoff clean, they will be tying up their opponent more and the wingers have to jump in to help.
Use your speed
The Flames top line is one of the fastest in the NHL and the Habs will need to be ready for it, countering with their speed won’t be enough. Disrupting the first line in the neutral zone before they can use their speed is the best thing the Habs can do.
Fix the power-play
The Habs have have managed to get a power-play goal the last few games but it hasn’t been pretty. It starts with the faceoff, if the Habs can control of the dot they do alright. If they don’t they spend half the power-play chasing the puck down the ice. Once they have control, they need to keep it simple.

Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| October 23, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, SNF
	2018-19 statistics
FLAMES	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
10 (10th)	Points (rank)	10 (15th)
5-3-0	Record	4-1-2
3-2-0	Away/Home	3-1-0
5-3-0	Last 10	4-1-2
3.75	GF/G	3.29
3.67	GA/G	2.71
27.8	PP%	17.2
78.3	PK%	72.7
53.15	CF%	54.36

eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon

Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik Bennett – Ryan – Neal Dube – Jankowski – Hathaway	Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Drouin – Domi – Lehkonen Byron – Kotkaniemi – Armia Deslauriers – Peca – Shaw
Defensemen
Giordano – Brodie Hanafin – Andersson Valimaki – Stone	Benn – Petry Reilly – Juulsen Mete – Ouellet
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Czarnik, Peluso, Prout Injured: Hamonic	Scratched: Alzner, Scherbak, Hudon Injured: Weber, Schlemko, Plekanec
Goalies
David Rittich	Carey Price

Record: 2-0-0 GAA: – 1.29 Sv%: – .962 SO: 0 Alternate: Mike Smith	Record: 2-1-2 GAA: – 2.57 Sv%: – .904 SO: 0 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Habs have had a few days off, working on the things that failed them last game. Sticking to the game plan will be big, if they struggle in faceoffs once again it could be a long night. The Flames are coming off a 4-1 win over the Rangers and will look to keep rolling. Gaudreau is the leader for the Flames and the Habs need to shut him down early not giving him much space. The Flames are also starting their back-up for the second game in a row, a surprise decision. The Habs have to make his night difficult from the start; bodies in front, lots of contact, fast puck movement, can’t let him settle in. In the past, games between the two have always become quite physical and it shouldn’t be surprising if this game is anything but more of the same.

Highlights from the NHL

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2018-19 statistics