Montembeault to Start | PREVIEW: MTL @ BUF

By
Sam Gerber
-
0
37

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Habs got off to a great start with Jonathan Drouin scoring the first goal of the season for the Habs and his first goal since returning to the team after taking a leave of absence last season. Unfortunately the Leafs took over from there and never looked back. The Habs had a perfect opportunity to tie the game with a 5-on-3 power-play but was far too predictable and stagnant leading to nothing. There were some chances but the Habs were unable to come back in this one and started this season with a loss.

Last game: MTL 1  TOR 2  F

For a complete game recap: Special Teams Failure | RECAP: MTL @ TOR

Players to Watch

  • Jonathan Drouin
    Drouin’s return to the Habs showed that he hasn’t missed a beat. It’s doubtful, but since Drouin has found some peace, could he finally have a breakout season and become the player the Habs traded for years ago?
  • Brendan Gallagher
    With the absence of Carey Price and Shea Weber, the locker room needs leadership and it will likely fall on Gally’s shoulders. He is one of the longest serving players on the roster and has been a spark for the team. Can Gallagher lead with the added pressures and years of wear and tear?
  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki had a quiet night against the Leafs which hopefully won’t happen too often this season. His line is there to create offense. After signing a long-term deal, Suzuki will have to prove he is worth it.

Keys to Victory

  • Win special teams
    Losing the special teams match against the Leafs cost the Habs a win. That can’t happen again. For a team expected to be a playoff bubble team, strong special teams play could be a difference maker.
  • Use speed
    The Habs have a lot of speed on their wings and will be key every single game for the Habs to win. Taking advantage of that on a nightly basis and consistently throughout a game will be important for success.
  • Limit mistakes
    NHL games are most often decided by which team makes the least mistakes. The Habs made one too many mistakes in the season opener. Playing against the Sabres, a team prone to making mistakes, the Habs have to capitalize and not make it easy for them.
Statistical Matchup for Game 2
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY | October 14, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+

2021-22  statistics
SABRES CANADIENS
0 (11th) Points (rank) 0 (28th)
0-0-0 Record 0-1-0
0-0-0 Home/Away 0-1-0
0-0-0 Last 10 0-1-0
0.00 GF/G 1.00
0.00 GA/G 2.00
00.0 (-th) PP% (rank) 00.0 (-th)
00.0 (-th) PK% (rank) 66.7 (-th)
54.17  CF% 45.83
Pre-game Quotes
Marc Bergevin

  • “Dominique Ducharme had a full training camp to prepare his team. I am confident that we are going to have a good season.”

Dominique Ducharme

  • “We’ll need both goalies to play. We cannot ask Jake to be playing all games in October and until Carey comes back.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Skinner – Mittelstadt – Hinostroza
Caggiula – Cozens – Bjork
Asplund – Thompson – Olofsson
Girgensons – Eakin – Okposo		 Toffoli – Suzuki – Caufield
Drouin – Dvorak – Anderson
Armia – Evans – Gallagher
Perreault – Paquette – Lehkonen
Defensemen
Dahlin – Jokiharju
Bryson – Miller
Hagg – Pysyk		 Kulak – Petry
Chiarot – Savard
Romanov – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Ruotsalainen, Hayden, Butcher
Injured: Eichel
 Scratched: Belzile, Niku, Brooks
Injured: Edmundson (undisclosed), Norlinder (lower-body), Price (player assistance program), Hoffman (lower-body), Byron (hip), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Craig Anderson Samuel Montembeault
Record: 0-0-0
GAA: 0.00
Sv%: .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Dustin Tokarski		 Record: 0-0-0
GAA: 0.00
Sv%: .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
This will be a tricky game for the Habs. It takes a few games for players to get used to the speed of the NHL again, and it won’t be easy doing that on back-to-back nights. It could be a blessing or a curse but the Sabres will likely become stronger as the game goes on and getting an early lead will be key for the Habs.

Bottom Line

This is a winnable game and a must-win game for the Habs who need to secure every point they can against teams that won’t be making the playoffs.
 Video Highlights

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR