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

A Look Back

After a scoreless first period the Habs came up empty in the second while the Sens scored three straight goals. The Habs put up little to no fight in the period as they only had three shots. The third period comeback fell short as the Habs ran out of time. The type of effort  in the third was needed earlier in the game and once again the Habs have no one to blame but themselves. Luckily the Habs have a quick turn around and can make up for that effort tonight versus the Ducks.

Last game: MTL 2  OTT 3  F

For a complete game recap: Too Little, Too Late | RECAP: MTL @ OTT

Players to Watch

• Nick Suzuki
  After a bad team performance the captain needs to make it clear in the locker room that type of effort is unacceptable. Suzuki needs to not only say that off the ice but show the type of effort demanded of them on the ice by leading by example.
• Josh Anderson
  Anderson’s goal streak came to an end but the power forward has played some inspiring hockey of late. If Anderson keeps this level of play up it will do wonders for the Habs playoff chances but realistically it will boost his trade value in what very well could be Anderson’s last season with the Habs.
• Joel Edmundson
  Another leader on the team who is too experienced to allow for his team to collapse like the Habs did in yesterday’s game. Edmundson knows what it takes to win and he needs to share that with his teammates so that the Habs can be competitive on a nightly basis.

Keys to Victory

• Compete harder
  The compete level was simply not there once again. A zero-zero game should not get out of hand that quickly and it shows the Sens wanted to win the game more. A divisional matchup against a team the Habs will be fighting for a playoff spot should increase the compete level but it was nowhere to be found when needed. Responding tonight with a dominant game is needed but the Habs have to figure this out sooner rather than later.
• Manage the bench
  Three quick goals scored in the second period is more than enough reason to call a timeout. St. Louis has shown he is a great players’ coach but has yet to show he can control a whole bench at once. No fight was made until the third period when it was too little too late. A timeout in the second easily could have led to a more determined Habs team that might have found themselves down maybe only one or two goals instead of the three they failed to get back. St. Louis needs to start showing he can control a bench just as well as be a player developer.
• Be disciplined
  The Habs got in their way all night with a parade of penalties which was a big reason for the loss. Another thing the coaching staff will need to take care of but the players have to take ownership of themselves as well.

2022-23  statistics

• “Did you watch the game? I think you know the answer. We deserved better.”

Bottom Line