Habs vs Kane | PREVIEW: EDM @ MTL

By
Cole Jurzyniec
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Edmonton

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

Edmonton
Game Preview 

A Look Back

While the Canadiens significantly outshot the Ducks in the first period, Cayden Primeau allowed three goals on nine shots. That performance resulted in Sam Montembeault taking over in goal in the second period only to be welcomed by Trevor Zegras scoring ‘Michigan style.’ The Canadiens rallied in the third period but fell short.

Last game: MTL 4  ANA 5 F

For a complete game recap: The Good Fight | RECAP: ANA @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Artturi Lehkonen
    Lehkonen has been the Habs most consistent skater this season. Now playing on the top line, Lehkonen has six points in his last nine games. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that “at least three teams are begging” to acquire Lehkonen.
  • Jake Evans
    Ending Dominique Ducharme’s experiment of Evans at wing has seen immediate positive results. Back centering the third line, Evans had looked far more comfortable especially scoring two goals as he drove to the net against Anaheim.
  • Alexander Romanov
    In a presser this week Dom Ducharme said that Romanov’s play had been “slipping” recently. The coach complained about the defenceman’s gap, saying that he backed off “way too much.” The coaching staff have encouraged Romanov to play on his toes.

Keys to Victory

  • Generate quality chances
    The Canadiens outshot and outchanced the Ducks last game. If they can continue to create grade-A scoring opportunities, they can take advantage of suspect Oilers goaltending.
  • Stop the puck
    The Canadiens goaltenders have struggled mightily all season. Against Anaheim, Habs skaters allowed just three high chances (while creating 11) but the combination of Cayden Primeau and Sam Montembeault gave up five goals.
  • Match the power-play
    The Oilers have a potent offensive attack and are second in the league in power-play success. The Habs have found the net in six of the past seven games with the man-advantage. They will need to continue their power-play success against Edmonton.
Statistical Matchup for Game 43
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 29, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+

2021-22  statistics
OILERS CANADIENS
44 (19th) Points (rank) 23 (32nd)
21-16-2 Record 8-27-7
W3 Streak L2
3-5-2 Last 10 1-6-3
3.21 (11th) GF/G (rank) 2.21 (32nd)
3.33 (22nd) GA/G (rank) 3.79 (32nd)
28.8 (2nd) PP% (rank) 13.7 (31st)
77.8 (20th) PK%  (rank) 72.6 (30th)
52.3  Faceoff % 47.6
Pre-game Quotes
Brett Kulak on Brendan Gallagher and Paul Byron

  • “The guys look up to them because of their leadership qualities. It’s going to be awesome when we get those two back in there.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Kane – McDavid – Yamamoto
Foegele – Draisaitl – Puljujarvi
Hyman – Nugent-Hopkins – Kassian
Shore – McLeod – Ryan		 Lehkonen – Suzuki – Toffoli
Dauphin – Poehling – Hoffman
Pitlick – Evans – Anderson
Pezzetta – Vejdemo – Paquette
Defensemen
Nurse – Bouchard
Keith – Ceci
Lagesson – Russell		 Chiarot – Savard
Kulak – Petry
Romanov – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Koekkoek, Sceviour, Perlini,
Injured: Klefbom, Archibald, Smith, Barrie
COVID-19:
Taxi squad:		 Scratched: Clague
Injured: Dvorak (upper-body), Allen (lower-body), Byron (hip), Drouin (upper-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Perreault (lower-body), Edmundson (back), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID-19: Caufield, Armia
Taxi squad: McNiven, Niku
Goalies
Mikko Koskinen Sam Montembeault
mikko_koskinen Sam Montembeault
Record: 15-8-1
GAA: 3.18
Sv%: .900
SO: 0
Alternate: Stuart Skinner		 Record: 2-7-4
GAA: 3.71
Sv%: .903
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The Oilers will be coming into town with restored confidence. They’re on a three game winning streak and will be looking to extend it to four as the Pacific division remains tight.  Montreal needs to find the back of the net early and find a way to shut down Edmonton’s top-six.

The sidebar in this game is that Evander Kane will make his Oilers debut after signing a one-year contract on Thursday.

Bottom Line

With Canadiens’ players continuing to return from injury, it provides additional opportunities for Kent Hughes to evaluate the talent he has and where he needs to improve.
 Video Highlights

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