GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Penguins: Habs In Pittsburgh for French Language Night

By
Sam Gerber
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GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 1  BOS 4  F   Costly turnovers put the Habs down early and you simply can’t do that against the Bruins and expect to win. It was a tough loss as the Habs allowed David Pastrnak to score a hat trick while the offense struggled to finish. Carey Price was excellent but was hung out to dry.

For a complete game recap: B’s Stick it to the Habs

Players to watch

  • Victor Mete
    Mete has been quiet for the majority of the season. While he is mobile like a modern day defensemen, he lacks the offense and the size to defend against bigger players. With changes coming next season it will be interesting to see if Mete steps up to secure his spot with the Habs.
  • Max Domi
    When the Habs are winning games Domi can play a part, but this contract year hasn’t gone the way Domi had hoped. He needs to have a shoot first mentality and not be afraid to take chances.
  • Brett Kulak
    Kulak is big, strong and has showed he is capable of playing up and down the line up. However mental errors have shown why he isn’t suited to staying in a top four role. 

Keys to Victory

  • Play smart
    The Habs hurt themselves last game with turnovers and know they can’t repeat that tonight.
  • Be ready
    The Habs have to be ready to start from the drop of the puck. Going up against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, falling behind early will be trouble.
  • Win special teams
    If the Habs can keep the game close and win the special teams battle they will have a chance to win.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA | February 14, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, ATTSN-PT

2019-20 statistics
PENGUINS CANADIENS
74 (4th) Points (rank) 61 (23rd)
34-15-6 Record 27-25-7
19-5-4 Home/Away 14-10-3
6-3-1 Last 10 6-4-0
3.25 GF/G 2.98
2.73 GA/G 3.03
19.9 PP% 18.5
82.8 PK% 79.3
50.61  CF% 54.48
Pre-game quotes
Tomas Tatar

  • “We have to help each other more on the ice. Those 50/50 battles, we have to retrieve more pucks.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Zucker – Crosby – Simon
 McCann – Malkin – Rust
Aston-Reece – Blueger – Tanev
Lafferty – Agozzino – Hornqvist		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Kovalchuk – Suzuki – Armia
Drouin – Domi – Cousins
Lehkonen – Thompson – Evans 
Defensemen
Johnson – Letang 
Pettersson – Schultz
 Riikola – Ruhwedel		 Chiarot – Mete
Kulak – Petry
Scandella – Ouellet
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Noesen
Injured: Bjustad, Dumoulin, Guentzel, Kahun, Marino
 Scratched: Folin, Weal
Injured: Weber, Byron, Weise
Goalies
Tristan Jarry Carey Price
Record: 18-8-1
GAA: – 2.18
Sv%: – .929
SO: 3
Alternate: Matt Murray		 Record: 24-20-4
GAA: – 2.71
Sv%: – .913
SO: 3
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Habs needed to win last game to keep a small chance at making the playoffs. To make matters worse, Shea Weber will be out four to six weeks. At the beginning of the season, the Habs proved that they could beat anyone. But sloppy play and a lack of depth has hurt them recently.
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