GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Devils: Habs Continue Road Trip in New Jersey

By
Sam Gerber
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GAME DAY | Canadiens – Devils: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 3  TOR 6    The Canadiens blew a three-goal lead and they can only blame themselves. The officiating didn’t help and the tying goal was off an awful bounce, but the Habs did it to themselves. Not chasing Frederik Andersen early and giving a him a chance to settle in was a mistake. It showed that the Habs are a young team and that moments will get the best of them. 

For a complete game recap: Habs Squander Three-goal Lead

Players to watch

  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    Kotkaniemi was unnoticeable against the Maple Leafs and the coaching staff sat him a couple shifts to get away from matchups. Kotkaniemi has been great all season but needs to step up and start challenging while on the road.
  • Jeff Petry
    Petry stepped up big last game but was a part of the team’s collapse in the second half of the game.   
  • Jonathan Drouin
    Drouin caused a stir when he took the warm-up but didn’t play against the Leafs. It was reported that he was out with the flu. Habs need Drouin to become the shooter of the team and make a difference in close games.

Keys to Victory

  • Play 60-minutes
    The Canadiens need to play a complete game, they have failed to do that consistently for quite sometime.
  • Use speed
    The Habs can use their speed in many different ways but need to control the neutral zone and be better entering the offensive zone.
  • Stay out of the box
    The Habs continue to take too many undisciplined penalties and the coaching staff needs to start holding players accountable.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Prudential Center, Newark, NJ | February 25, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, MSG+

2018-19 statistics
DEVILS CANADIENS
56 (28th) Points (rank) 73 (11th)
24-30-8 Record 33-22-7
16-10-5 Home/Away 14-12-3
4-5-1 Last 10 5-4-1
2.92 GF/G 2.98
3.39 GA/G 2.95
18.9 PP% 13.0
83.8 PK% 79.1
47.42  CF%  53.82
Pre-game quote
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Wood – Hischier – Palmieri
McLeod – Zajac – Coleman
Agostino – Stafford – Gabriel
Rooney – Bastian 		 Drouin – Danault – Gallagher
Tatar – Domi – Shaw
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Lehkonen – Thompson – Peca
Defensemen
 Greene – Severson
Mueller – Carrick
Butcher – Santini / Yakolev		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Gryba
Injured: Hall, Vatanen, Zacha, Bratt, Noesen
 Scratched: Folin, Hudon, Deslauriers, Weise, Weal
Injured: none
Goalies
Cory Schneider Carey Price
Record: 3-8-2
GAA: – 3.43
Sv%: – .892
SO: 1
Alternate: Mackenzie Blackwood		 Record: 25-17-5
GAA: – 2.56
Sv%: – .917
SO: 3
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
Happy Trade Deadline Day! The Canadiens made a minor splash early by trading for Jordan Weal who will add depth to the fourth line. It was a classic Bergevin move. Games on trade deadline day are always weird. Players can’t help but lose their focus and pay attention to the trades. All in all, it will lead to an interesting game tonight. The Habs will need to answer back after blowing a three-goal and make up for some much needed points. 
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