Howdy Stranger | PREVIEW: MTL @ TBL

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It’s been a wild and extended Christmas break with the league shutting down due to COVID. In addition, NHL players will no longer be going to the Olympics and that time will be used to make up previously postponed games. The Habs have been hit hard and the roster tonight looks more like an AHL roster.

Last game: MTL 3  PHI 2  F/SO

For a complete game recap: A Quiet Win | RECAP: PHI @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Corey Schueneman
    Due to the large outbreak, Schueneman will be making his NHL debut. In 19 games this season with the Rocket, Schueneman has seven points. Schueneman has pro  experience and shouldn’t be shocked with the change of pace. He will wear No. 64.
  • Rafael Harvey-Pinard
    The former 7th round pick is also making his NHL debut. In 24 games Pinard has 14 points. Expect a strong compete level from Harvey-Pinard who has been compared to Brendan Gallagher for his work ethic. He will wear No. 49.
  • Cole Caufield
    Caufield’s rookie season hasn’t gone his way. Hopefully the break will be exactly what he needs as it is expected that the Habs will soon be turning to the kids once the trade deadline comes and goes.

Keys to Victory

  • Keep it simple
    With a very mixed it up roster, keeping it simple will be key. Pucks deep, a hard forecheck and focusing on the fundamentals will be key for the Habs.
  • Bring energy
    First game after a long break always goes to the team that plays with the most energy. The Habs have to come out fast and keep up that energy level throughout the game.
  • Be disciplined
    Keeping the game 5-on-5 will be key for the Habs. They have to do their part by staying out of the box.
Statistical Matchup for Game 32
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL | December 28, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, HULU

2021-22  statistics
LIGHTNING CANADIENS
44 (1st) Points (rank) 17 (31st)
20-6-4 Record 7-21-3
W3 Streak W1
8-1-1 Last 10 2-7-1
3.20 (10th) GF/G (rank) 2.13 (31st)
2.60 (7th) GA/G (rank) 3.52 (29th)
18.7 (18th) PP% (rank) 12.5 (31st)
79.1 (21st) PK%  (rank) 71.6 (29th)
49.3  Faceoff % 48.0
Pre-game Quotes
Jonathan Drouin

  • “We have to make sure everyone is on the same page. There are guys who will be in their first game. Everyone should be comfortable with the system, even if the game isn’t changing.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Palat – Stamkos – T. Raddysh
Killorn – Point – Joseph
Maroon – Colton – Perry
Katchouk – Nash – Fortier		 Drouin – Suzuki – Gallagher
Harvey-Pinard – Poehling – Caufield
Belzile – Evans – Ylonen
Pezzetta – Paquette – Vejdemo
Defensemen
Hedman – Rutta
McDonagh – Bogosian
Day – Foote		 Romanov – Savard
Kulak – Clague
Schueneman – Niku
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Smith, D. Raddysh
Injured: Kucherov, Cernak
COVID-19:  Bellemare, Vasilevskiy, Elliott, Sergachev, Cirelli, Sustr		 Scratched:
Injured: Armia (undisclosed), Perreault (undisclosed), Dvorak (lower-body), Anderson (upper-body), Price (knee), Byron (hip), Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID-19: Allen, Chiarot, Edmundson, Petry, Wideman, Dauphin, Hoffman, Lehkonen, Toffoli
Taxi squad: Baddock, Hillis, Fairbrother,  McNiven, Belpedio
Goalies
Maxime Lagace Sam Montembeault
Record: 0-0-0
GAA: 0.00
Sv%: .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Hugo Alnefelt		 Record: 1-4-1
GAA: 3.65
Sv%: .897
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
With depleted lineups for both teams, this will likely be a sloppy game with several players trying to make an impact. The Habs are missing a lot of depth which in the end will likely hurt them but the Habs have to show up and compete without losing their focus.

Bottom Line

With 51 one games left on the schedule and the Habs sitting second last in the league, it’s time to showcase some players to increase their trade value.
 Video Highlights

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