Habs Debut for Richard | PREVIEW: MTL @ ARI

By
Sam Gerber
-
1
51

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Habs were exposed by a far better team right from the start. Down two goals early, the Habs compete level was nowhere to be found in the second when the Lightning doubled their lead making a comeback next to impossible. Nick Suzuki stopped the bleeding early in the third but the Lightning limited the Habs scoring chances. This was the final home game of 2022 for the Habs as they start a difficult seven game road trip over the next three weeks.

Last game: MTL 1  TBL 5  F

For a complete game recap: Bolts Zap Habs | RECAP: TBL @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Christian Dvorak
    The Habs lack of depth scoring is a big issue for the team that can be fixed if Dvorak can be more consistent. It’s a quality that separates good and great players and if Dvorak can find a way to become more consistent it will do wonders for the rest of his career and the Habs season.
  • Josh Andersom
    Anderson was promoted to the first line last game as the combinations were tossed in a blender. Anderson hasn’t looked great in this role each time he has been giving it which makes one wonder if this is a team trying to showcase a player to maximize trade value.
  • Kaiden Guhle
    One of the most important players for the Habs this season has been Guhle, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time as a rookie with twelve points. Guhle will only get better and at the young age of 20 the Habs will more than likely watch Guhle become a leader for the Habs in the next few years.

Keys to Victory

  • Start strong
    During a three game losing streak it will be key for the Habs to get an early lead and get their confidence back. The Habs are starting to slide and need a great start against a Coyotes team that isn’t putting up much of a fight this season.
  • Shoot the puck
    The Habs should be throwing everything on net and get back to the basics making the goalies night difficult. A handful of shots a period doesn’t cut it.
  • Stay disciplined
    Penalty trouble got the better of the Habs once again and will never be a recipe for success. Habs have to be a lot more disciplined to have a chance at a win.
Statistical Matchup for Game 32
Mullett Arena, Tempe, AZ | December 19, 10:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSAZX

2022-23  statistics
COYOTES CANADIENS
24 (29th) Points (rank) 30 (24th)
10-15-4 Record 14-15-2
L1 Streak L3
3-6-1 Last 10 3-6-1
2.79 (26th) GF/G (rank) 2.74 (28th)
3.66 (28th) GA/G (rank) 3.55 (25th)
20.0 (24th) PP% (rank) 14.0 (32nd)
76.6 (20th) PK% (rank) 79.0 (16th)
46.0  Faceoff % 51.2
Pre-game Quotes
Marty St. Louis 

  • “I think staying patient is important, but I think the truth through that process is probably more important. We have to look at where we can be better and keep building, but the truth is everything.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Keller – Boyd – Schmaltz
Crouse – Bjugstad – Maccelli
Fischer – McBain – Kassian
Ritchie – Hayton – Valimaki		 Caufield – Suzuki – Anderson
Slafkovsky – Dach – Drouin
Dadonov – Dvorak – Hoffman
Richard – Evans – Armia
Defensemen
Chychrun – Gostisbehere
Moser – Brown
Nemeth – Stecher		 Edmundson – Guhle
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Timmins
Injured: Ladd, O’Brien		 Scratched: Pezzetta
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee),   (undisclosed), Gallagher (lower-body), Savard (upper-body injury), Monahan (lower-body), Matheson (lower-body)
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka Sam Montembeault
Record: 9-8-3
GAA: 3.11
Sv%: .911
SO: 2
Alternate: Connor Ingram		 Record: 5-3-2
GAA: 2.98
Sv%: .908
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The biggest road trip for the season for the Habs begins, while it is broken up by a brief holiday break the Habs need to get some wins back before the break or they will see their chances at a playoff spot start to fall drastically. The Coyotes are in a similar situation seeing their playoff chances go from slim to next to impossible which is exactly their plan as they have hopes at the number one overall pick. This is a great opportunity for the Habs to get back in the win column and get some of their mojo back before the break.

Bottom Line

This is a winnable game for the Habs that believe they are a much better team than the standings would suggest.
 Video Highlights

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

1 COMMENT

  1. salut-bien chers amis
    hi sam
    thanks for the pre-game
    as always
    gotta put 2 in the bank tonite
    no excuses.
    CH55,out?gotta play him
    gotta find a way to keep him in the line-up,,,
    the kid can play.
    bonne match a soir
    on attendra apres le post-game
    cheers,

Comments are closed.