GAME DAY | Canadiens – Maple Leafs: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 5 PHI 1 The Habs came out flying and chased Carter Hart early. Brendan Gallagher scored his first NHL hat-trick. Montreal had a strong start and then coasted. Three Canadiens lines played a strong game at both ends of the ice. Carey Price was on top of his game allowing just one goal on a perfectly timed deflection that he couldn’t do anything about.

For a complete game recap: Gallagher Records First Career Hat Trick

Players to watch

Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Kotkaniemi reached the thirty-point plateau against the Flyers but has yet to score during an away game. Line-matching is a big part of this but it’s only matter of time before Jesperi becomes a difference maker on the road.
Jeff Petry
Petry has been quiet the last few games. With only one point in his last eight games the Canadiens need him to be a bigger part of the offense.
Matthew Peca
Peca keeps leaving us wanting more. Peca has shown why he is a career AHL-player. It’s time he demonstrates why he should be a regular on the 4th line, benefiting from playing with Artturi Lehkonen and Nate Thompson.

Keys to Victory

Exploit the weak side
The Maple Leafs defense is glaringly weak on the right side and the Habs should attack it. Montreal should be able to use their speed to create turnovers.
Use speed
Montreal showcased their speed last game and if they are able to enter the offensive zone once again, they can cause issues for the Leafs.
Stay out of the box
The Leafs have a dangerous power-play if the Canadiens continue to be undisciplined. On the other hand, Montreal’s power-play needs to be a positive point for the Habs for the rest of the season.

Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON \| February 23, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: CBC, TVAS, SN, CITY
	2018-19 statistics
MAPLE LEAFS	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
76 (7th)	Points (rank)	73 (10th)
36-20-4	Record	33-21-7
17-12-1	Home/Away	14-11-3
6-3-1	Last 10	5-3-2
3.50	GF/G	2.98
2.83	GA/G	2.90
20.9	PP%	12.7
81.2	PK%	79.9
51.26	CF%	53.95

Pre-game quote
Andrew Shaw “I think it’s huge, it’s a four-point game. We can take two away from them and climb two in the standings. You see how tight the division is, so we want to keep climbing. We have to treat it like a playoff game for us for sure. Passion, character, it’s all got to be there tonight.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Hyman – Tavares – Marner Johnsson – Matthews – Kapanen Marleau – Nylander – Brown Lindholm – Gauthier – Ennis	Drouin – Danault – Gallagher Tatar – Domi – Shaw Byron – Kotkaniemi – Armia Lehkonen – Thompson – Peca
Defensemen
Rielly – Hainsey Gardiner – Zaitsev Muzzin – Dermott	Mete – Weber Reilly – Petry Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Ozhiganov, Holl Injured: Kadri	Scratched: Folin, Hudon, Deslauriers Injured: none
Goalies
Frederik Andersen	Carey Price

Record: 27-13-3 GAA: – 2.58 Sv%: – .923 SO: 1 Alternate: Garret Sparks	Record: 25-16-5 GAA: – 2.53 Sv%: – .917 SO: 3 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Canadiens will be looking for their third straight win after going through a bit of a losing streak. Toronto has lost three in a row. The Habs have lost both games to the Leafs this season in overtime. The Canadiens have to be ready to play and have to want it more in what could be a playoff matchup. The Maple Leafs love to stretch out the ice from the start but can struggle if they don’t have early success. Montreal has to be on top of their two-way game from the start.

Highlights from the NHL

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GAME DAY | Canadiens – Maple Leafs: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Tickets

2018-19 statistics