GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Edmonton Oilers: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

A Look Back

A hot start by the Habs in the opening seconds to give the Habs an early lead. It was Juraj Slafkovsky supporting a strong play by Sean Monahan and putting in the easy  goal. That line was the best for the Habs all night with a combination of size, speed, skill and physicality. The Habs allowed the Flames to stick around who scored in the final seconds of the second period. In the final frame the Habs made the most of a power-play as Cole Caufield made no mistake on a cross seam pass from Nick Suzuki. Jake Allen put the team on his back as he stopped 45 of 46 shots including 21 in the third period.

Last game: MTL 2  CGY 1  F

For a complete game recap: A Triumphant Return | RECAP: MTL @ CGY

Players to Watch

• Kaiden Guhle
  It’s homecoming night for Kaiden Guhle who will play his first game in his hometown and will have plenty of family and friends in attendance. Guhle has gone above and beyond his expectations this season and the rookie will surely want to put on a show in front of his hometown fans.
• Nick Suzuki
  While the Habs will have their work cut out for them tonight against Connor McDavid, a lot of responsibility will be on the shoulders of Nick Suzuki, who has shown time and time again he is up to the task.
• Juraj Slafkovsky
  Slafkovsky picked up an easy goal last game which should help his confidence. Perhaps he can take lessons on work ethic from Sean Monahan. Slafkovsky needs to significantly up his effort level no matter where he plays in the lineup.

Keys to Victory

• Manage McDavid
  The league’s best player is almost averaging two points a game and the Habs have to do everything they can to contain him. This will be a huge test for the Habs young defence and will be interesting to see how they handle it.
• Win special teams
  Both teams struggle with scoring in the bottom six. Montreal will need to take advantage and prove depth is key to winning games.
• Limit turnovers
  Puck responsibility will be key again for the Habs as the Oilers have two of the best goal scorers in the league and the Habs would be wise to limit turnovers.

2022-23  statistics

• “[Leon Draisaitl and McDavid] are great players. They play a lot of minutes and I think it will take a collective effort to counter these guys. […] They have too much speed, talent and intelligence, it is necessary to face them collectively.”

Bottom Line