GAME PREVIEW | Stars – Canadiens: Habs Back at the Bell Centre

By
Sam Gerber
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GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens vs Dallas Stars: 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  PIT 4  F   Key decisions and mistakes cost the Habs once again as they gave up three goals in the second period to Pittsburgh. Newly-acquired Penguin Jason Zucker scored twice. Tomas Tatar got the lone goal for Montreal.

For a complete game recap: Habs Running Out of Racetrack

Players to watch

  • Marco Scandella
    Scandella is a pending unrestricted free agent and one of three of the most likely Habs players to be moved before the trade deadline. Scandella has had some positive moments but it is becoming clear why he was not playing in Buffalo. 
  • Ilya Kovalchuk
    Kovalchuk had a team high eight shots against the Penguins but has scored just once in eight games in February. With just nine days until the deadline, Kovalchuk is also one of the players most likely to be traded.
  • Nate Thompson
    Thompson is valued for his faceoff ability, his leadership in the room and is a favourite of coach Julien. But given his struggles offensively and defensively, Thompson is a prime candidate to be wearing a new jersey by the deadline. 

Keys to Victory

  • Start strong
    The Habs have to keep the game close and playing with a lead would be even better. 
  • Play with intensity
    Montreal was dominated in consecutive games by the Bruins and Penguins. They need to show more passion for the game playing in front of their home fans.
  • Make better shot choices
    The Habs have been getting lots of shots but few scoring chances. They need to be willing to go to the net regularly and hope that they get a bounce.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 15, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SNE, CITY, TVAS, FS-SW

2019-20 statistics
STARS CANADIENS
71 (8th) Points (rank) 61 (23rd)
33-19-5 Record 27-26-7
16-10-3 Away/Home 13-15-4
6-3-1 Last 10 5-5-0
2.67 GF/G 2.95
2.49 GA/G 3.05
20.5 PP% 18.8
81.5 PK% 79.1
49.08  CF% 54.10
Pre-game quotes
Claude Julien

  • “At the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: We’re going to have to get on a really good winning streak if we plan on getting back into this hunt.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Hintz – Seguin – Perry
Benn – Dickinson – Gurianov
Cogliano – Faksa – Comeau
Janmark – Pavelski – Robertson		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Suzuki – Kovalchuk
Drouin – Domi – Armia
Cousins – Evans – Weise
Defensemen
Lindell – Klingberg
 Heiskanen – Johns
Oleksiak – Sekera		 Chiarot – Mete
Scandella – Petry
Kulak – Ouellet
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Polak, Kiviranta, Fedun
Injured: Hanzal, Radulov
 Scratched: Folin, Weal, Thompson (flu)
Injured: Weber, Byron
Goalies
Ben Bishop Carey Price
Record: 19-12-4
GAA: – 2.37
Sv%: – .924
SO: 2
Alternate: Anton Khudobin		 Record: 24-21-4
GAA: – 2.71
Sv%: – .912
SO: 3
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Stars are 10 points up on Montreal and are on a three-game win streak. The Habs have lost three straight. It’s not going to be an easy game but if the Habs can stay focused and have a good start there’s no reason they can’t win.
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