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

• After blowing a 2-0 lead (and not even mustering a point) in the last 7:10 in Monday night’s game against the Islanders, there is no doubt that they will be motivated heading into tonight’s game. Coach Gerard Gallant had this to say following the game: “We let them skate in the third period, we backed off too much. They took it to us. The first goal killed us. You lose a game like that (and) you’re going to be [upset].”
• Nathan Beaulieu is days away from returning from injury, but had a very original way to look at the Canadiens’ bad luck in the injury department of late: “It was our team picture today and I think almost our entire back row was in St. John’s at one point this season. The injuries this year have been pretty crazy, but it has also been exciting to see the young guys step up. In my career, I also needed opportunities like that to help establish myself,”
• Mark Barberio on his recent upgraded role with the Canadiens’: “When I signed here my goal was to battle for a spot at training camp, but obviously all the injuries have given me the opportunity to play more minutes. When you get an opportunity you just have to try your best to seize it,”
• Although the Canadiens’ suffered through a historically terrible streak throughout majority of this season (which seems to have started after their game versus the Devils on November 28, 2015), things are starting to turn around of late. The Canadiens have won seven of their last nine games on home ice. Not to mention the fact that Carey Price is getting closer to game action every day.
• While the Canadiens have a 26-14-3 record versus teams in the Eastern Conference this season, the Panthers have a 26-9-6 record against teams from the East.
• So far this season, the Canadiens have a 14-6-1 record versus teams in the Atlantic division, while the Panthers have a 13-6-1 record versus teams coming from the Atlantic.
• The Canadiens have maintained their place in the standings for the goals against category, as they are currently in 21st in the league, with 194 in 69 games. The Panthers have allowed 170 goals in 69 games and find themselves in 6th in the league.
• The Canadiens have dropped down in the standings for the goals scored category as they are currently in 16th place in the NHL, with 187 over their first 69 games. The Panthers are 8th in this category with 194 goals scored in their first 69 games.

2015-16 statistics

• Top scorers for the Pantehrs on the road this season are:

1. Jonathan Huberdeau and Jussi Jokinen (both with 22 points in 28 and 33 games respectively)
2. Aleksander Barkov (with 20 points in 27 games)
3. Reilly Smith (with 19 points in 33 games)

• Top scorers for the Canadiens at home this season are:

1. Tomas Plekanec and P. K. Subban* (both with 26 points in 33 and 34 games respectively)
2. Max Pacioretty (with 24 points in 34 games)
3.  Alex Galchenyuk (with 21 points in 34 games)

* – Currently injured

Player stats from War-on-Ice, NHL.com and Yahoo Sports.

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