Habs Host the Cats | PREVIEW: FLA @ MTL

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It was a shocking game as the Habs took down one of the top teams in the league and it was by some of the least expecting players on the Habs. Evgenii Dadonov scored two goals while Mike Hoffman added one as well.Both players have been passengers on the Habs all season but showed they still have some elite scoring talent. Josh Anderson scored the final goal for the Habs while Sam Montembeault was strong in net only giving up one goal on 26 shots.

Last game: MTL 4  WPG 1  F

For a complete game recap: Secondary Scoring | RECAP: WPG @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Kirby Dach
    Habs GM Kent Hughes mentioned on Wednesday that Kirby Dach is a center. Hopefully the Habs put Dach in that position for the remainder of the season and give him every chance possible to succeed. Playing Dach on the wing with Caufield and Suzuki created offence but it is not helping Dach with his development as a centerman at all.
  • Evgenii Dadonov
    It was quite the game to see Dadonov score two goals. Due to injuries the Habs have no choice but to play the veteran forward who had only two goals in his previous 35 games. If Dadonov takes advantage of the extra ice time over the next month or so the Habs might just be able to move him for a late round draft pick.
  • Justin Barron
    Barron played one of his best games as a member of the Habs, and he did so playing against his brother and in front of his parents in the stands. It took a little bit but Barron has shown he can be a playmaking defenceman and the Habs are just starting to see his talents.

Keys to Victory

  • Score first
    The Habs showed exactly why scoring first is big in the NHL, and something the Habs have to do more consistently.
  • Play hard
    The Panthers are a very scrappy team that will take advantage on soft plays; the Habs can’t give up anything easy and be very hard to play against.
  • Attack Panthers’ defence
    The Panthers defence isn’t one of their strengths while they have some great players overall they are slow and can be beat with a hard forecheck and fast decision-making.
Statistical Matchup for Game 46
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 19, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS,  ESPN+, BSFL

2022-23  statistics
PANTHERS CANADIENS
47 (21st) Points (rank) 41 (26th)
21-20-5 Record 19-23-3
OT1 Streak W2
5-4-1 Last 10 4-6-0
3.28 (11th) GF/G (rank) 2.58 (29th)
3.41 (23rd) GA/G (rank) 3.62 (27th)
22.2 (15th) PP% (rank) 15.9 (31st)
75.4 (21st) PK% (rank) 74.8 (23rd)
48.8  Faceoff % 49.7
Pre-game Quotes
Kent Hughes

  • “When I look at our team, there is a need to find a balance. It’s about finding the balance between the development of our players and the desire to win.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Lundell – Barkov – Reinhart
Verhaeghe – Bennett – Tkachuk
Denisenko – Luostarinen – Cousins
Lomberg – Staal – Smith		 Caufield – Suzuki – Ylonen
Hoffman – Dach – Anderson
Pezzetta – Dvorak – Dadonov
Harvey-Pinard – Pitlick
Defensemen
Forsling – Ekblad
Staal – Montour
Mahura – Gudas		 Matheson – Savard
Edmundson – Barron
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj
Out of the lineup
Scratched: White, Tierny, Fitzgerald
Injured: Duclair, Hornqvist, Knight		 Scratched: Wideman
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Guhle (lower-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Allen (upper-body), Evans (lower-body), Armia (upper-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Drouin (undisclosed)
Goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky Sam Montembeault
Record: 12-13-2
GAA: 3.25
Sv%: .897
SO: 1
Alternate: Alex Lyon		 Record: 9-7-2
GAA: 3.05
Sv%: .912
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The Habs have started to play some strong hockey of late beating teams as heavy underdogs. While it is currently hurting their draft position there is still a lot of hockey left. The Panthers are only a few points out of a wildcard position and should be doing everything they can to make the playoffs but haven’t been able to move up in the standings over the last two months. With only 36 games remaining for them on the schedule, losing against non-playoff teams can’t be an option if they want to make the playoffs.

Bottom Line

The Habs are bringing out their throwback jerseys once again that haven’t resulted in a win in back to back seasons, do they break the curse tonight?
 Video Highlights

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