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

A Look Back

Simply not good enough was the answer for the Habs horrible loss to the Pens. When only three players end up not a minus it’s safe to say it wasn’t a pretty game. The goals came early and often for the Pens and the Habs had no answer. There was no emotion, effort or fight shown by the Habs as the game was quickly out of reach. Montreal focused on the game ending rather than showing some character.

Last game: MTL 0  PIT 6  F

For a complete game recap: ‘We Were Bad’ | RECAP: PIT @ MTL

Players to Watch

• Cole Caufield
  Desperately needing some offense the Habs recalled Caufield once again, he was a minus-3 in his first game back. He showed flashes of his game from last season’s playoffs however a full effort on both ends of the ice and finding the mesh will help get his confidence back.
• Joel Armia
  The Habs extended Armia in the offseason and little has become of it. When Armia is on top of his game he is almost impossible to knock off the puck. Getting more from Armia could be a start for the Habs to start turning this around.
• Mattias Norlinder
  Norlinder did well in his NHL debut, somehow managing to be an even player in a blow out loss. As the season goes on the experience Norlinder gains will be tremendous for his future. His skill set as a puck moving mobile defender is lacking on the Habs blue line and it was noticeable in his first game.

Keys to Victory

• Play with effort
  The Habs were far too easy to play against last game and need to play much harder tonight. The effort needs to be there tonight or the Habs could suffer another blow out loss.
• Put the puck in the net
  The Habs have the second worst goal differential in the league with a horrid minus-29 while the Predators sit at plus-2. Goals won’t be easy to come by for the Habs with Jusse Sarros in goal but the Habs have to find a way to work themselves out of the bottom of the league one way or another.
• Show leadership
  Missing from the Habs this season is leadership. Several players with ‘A’s’ have yet to put the team on their back and make a difference for the team. Someone in that room needs to provide the leadership to the team that allows the team to play with confidence that they had when Carey Price and Shea Weber were playing.

2021-22  statistics

• On using 11 forwards and seven defenceman: “I think we can alternate guys depending on who’s sharp and use those guys a little bit more.”

Bottom Line