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

Season Preview

The time has come for the Habs to lace up their skates, tape their sticks, and dawn the famous Blue, Blanc & Rouge jersey once again. This season will be like no other as a world-wide pandemic will test it every day. The Habs have added several new faces to the club and haven’t had more depth in years. Did we mention the new division? That’s right, the Habs will only be playing Canadian teams this year including 10 games against the Maple Leafs, which is where it all begins.

Last game (August 21, 2020): MTL 2  PHI 3  F

For a complete game recap: Canadiens – Flyers: Light on Habs Horizon

Players to Watch

• Jesperi Kotkaniemi
  Kotkaniemi took a huge step forward during last season’s playoffs. At only 20-years-of-age going into his third NHL season, Jesperi knows exactly what it takes to win and this should be his breakout season.
• Josh Anderson
  There are high expectations of Anderson after signing a seven year, $5.5 million dollar contract. The power forward impressed his teammates with his speed during camp. He has been injury plagued in previous years but he has the chance to prove his doubters wrong and will be a key player for the Habs all season long.
• Alexander Romanov
  The young Russian defenceman finally makes his debut for the Habs. Romanov will play on his opposite side paired with Brett Kulak. Romanov will be eased into the NHL on the third pair but expect him to excel and quickly move himself up in the lineup.

Keys to Victory

• Play with energy
  Without fans in the arena, the Habs will have to bring their own energy. Look no further than to all the predictions of the Leafs winning the division, Habs don’t need any more motivation than that.
• Build chemistry
  With the addition of several new players and no exhibition games, the Habs new lines will need to find their chemistry fast.
• Win special teams
  It’s no secret the Habs penalty-kill was bad last season. Going into this season, the Habs will be facing some of the top power-plays in the league. Staying out of the box will help, but they will need to have a much improved penalty kill to make playoffs.

2019-20 statistics (final)

• “I grew up watching the games. I loved it, watching those two teams go back and forth over the years. Growing up 45 minutes from Maple Leaf Gardens and then the ACC, guys that you hated were some of those Habs forwards. But it’s pretty cool being on the other side of that rivalry now. You get those same feelings now going back towards the Toronto players.”

Brendan Gallagher

• “I think everyone’s excited for the season and we’re optimistic, but the job’s still on us to go out and do it. We’re playing in a very competitive division. The team we’re playing tonight is a big part of that. It’s a team that we’re going to see a lot this year. You’ve got to make sure that you set the tone early on and hopefully we can come together as a team.”

Claude Julien

• “We’re playing 10 games against the Maple Leafs during the 56-game season. We’ll definitely create a rivalry without having fans throwing more fuel on the fire. I fully expect it to start tonight. These are two teams that want to show what they’re capable of this year.”

Bottom Line

Carey Price starts in goal for his 14th season in the NHL. He is still as elite as they come and in a short season, he will be the deciding factor on how far the Habs go.