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

A Look Back

Josh Anderson scored the game-winner with just under four minutes left in the third period. It’s his second game winning-goal in the eight games he’s played. Sam Montembeault was strong in the final 40 minutes with 43 saves. Kaiden Guhle put everything into a well-placed one-timer that gave him his first career NHL goal.

Last game: MTL 3  BUF 2  F

For a complete game recap: First Road Win | RECAP: MTL @ BUF

Players to Watch

• David Savard
  Savard has been doing an incredible job on the back end. It’s easy to be over-looked when playing alongside a stud like Kaiden Guhle. The Quebec native picked up two assists in Buffalo and currently leads the NHL with 37 blocked shots. Savard has also been key in Guhle’s development, averaging 22:21 ice-time through eight games.
• Christian Dvorak
  The 6-foot centreman has been relatively quiet, that is until Thursday night when he was able to pick up a primary assist, giving him the first point of the season.  Although Dvorak isn’t a point producing machine, he stabilizes the face-off dot averaging 53.6 percent success rate after 97 attempts.
• Brendan Gallagher
  Gallagher seems to have more edge, quickness and agility this season. Good health has been key factor to his early success. The 5-foot-9-inch winger has scored two goals in the last four games and continues to be a problem for opposition defencemen.

Keys to Victory

• Change up the power-play
  The Canadiens currently sit 31st in the league with a pitiful 4.2 percent power-play success rate. Finding a way to generate offence and, at the bare minimum, applying pressure to the opposition should be a primary focus for the special teams to contend against teams such as the St. Louis Blues.
• Bring the confidence
  After a road win in Buffalo, the team should bring that winning energy into the Enterprise Centre in St. Louis and repeat their performance. Wth youth on the bench, the guys should feed off the excitement and translate the emotion onto the ice.
• Be creative
  At times against Buffalo, there were some plays that appeared to be somewhat predictable. Finding a way to keep the opponent on their toes is key to winning games and opening up the ice. The newcomers should be trying to be creative to see what they can bring to the table in a season dedicated to development.

2022-23  statistics

• “I want to be able to count on players who show up every night. Whether you’re on the road or at home, if you just won or lost a game, in December, November or February, it doesn’t matter. I want guys that show up every night, and I think we’ve had that so far. The goal is to continue in the same vein.”

Bottom Line