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

Sam Gerber

October 24, 2017

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber, Staff Writer

Last game: ANA 6 MTL 2

The Canadiens lost the third of the California road trip. Montreal played an amazing 20 minutes of hockey in the second period after a dismal first period. But a third period collapse led to their seventh loss in a row.

For a complete recap: Canadiens – Ducks: Habs Lose Seventh Straight Game

Players to watch

Aleksander Barkov
Barkov has six points in seven games this season. He is a big-bodied centerman who will give Canadiens defenseman all they can handle. Tomas Plekanec will likely play a shutdown role against him tonight and will be a key matchup to watch.
Jeff Petry
Petry hasn’t played very well this season and has been demoted to the third pair for tonight’s game. He is being outworked, allowing opposing forwards to go to the net, and has made careless turnovers. Petry must be more physical tonight.
Aaron Ekblad
Ekblad is off to a great start to the season with five points. He is the leader for the Panthers and has no trouble shutting down opposition forwards.
Michael McCarron, Nikita Scherbak
Scherbak and McCarron will look to create energy from the fourth line, playing their first games this season. Scherbak has speed and is very talented offensively with nine points in six games for Laval. McCarron has been a physical force for the Rocket providing a presence in front of the net. He has four points in six games for Laval.

Keys to Victory

Play a full game
The Canadiens have not played a 60-minute game yet this season.
Fuel Bell Centre
It’s important for the Habs to give the home crowd something to cheer about early.
Focus
Montreal can’t wilt at the first sign of adversity. Following a goal, they need to focus on getting it back.

Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| October 24, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-F
	2017-18 statistics
PANTHERS	2017-18 statistics	CANADIENS
6 (26th)	Points (rank)	3 (30th)
3-4-0	Record	1-6-1
1-3-0	Away/Home	0-1-1
3-4-0	Last 10	1-6-1
3.43	GF/G	1.50
3.57	GA/G	4.13
18.8	PP%	9.4
72.4	PK%	76.7
51.74	CF%	53.64


Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Huberdeau – Barkov – Dadonov McGinn – Trocheck – Vrbata Brickley – Malgin – Bjugstad Haley – MacKenzie – Tippett	Byron – Drouin – Lehkonen Shaw – Danault – Pacioretty Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher Scherbak – McCarron – Galchenyuk Not expected to play: Mitchell, De La Rose, Hemsky
Defensemen
Yandle – Ekblad Matheson – Pysyk Weegar – McCoshen	Mete – Weber Alzner – Benn Davidson – Petry Not expected to play: Morrow, Schlemko
Goalies
James Reimer	Carey Price

Record: 2-2-0 GAA: 3.14 Sv%: .914 SO: 0 Alternate: Antti Niemi	Record: 1-5-1 GAA: 3.94 Sv%: .881 SO: 0 Alternate: Al Montoya

What to Expect

The Canadiens have changed up their lines with offensive on each one for tonight’s match-up against their divisional opponent. It will be interesting to see how these lines perform and how much they are used. I expect high energy from each line with players willing to go into the dirty areas. If the Habs play a full 60 minutes they should be able to take it the Panthers

Prediction: Canadiens 5 Panthers 0

If Montreal can play a full 60 minutes they should be able to take it the Panthers. The Habs have a lot to prove tonight and will look to put an end to the losing streak.

Highlights from the NHL

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2017-18 statistics