GAME DAY | Lightning – Canadiens: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game: MTL 1  SJS  4  

The Sharks handled the Habs with ease. Carey Price was the best player once again as the Canadiens defense and offence continues to struggle.

For a complete recap: Sharks Extend Habs Losing Streak

Players to watch

  • Steven Stamkos
    Stamkos scored two goals against Montreal last week and will likely have another great game if he exploits the Canadiens defence.
  • Nikita Kucherov
    Kucherov made a game changing play last time these two teams met. He likely won’t be held goalless tonight.
  • Mikhail Sergachev
    Sergachev is having a superb season earning his ice time on a very talented Lightning team.

Keys to Victory

  • Bend don’t break
    The Habs will defend most of the night but need to be strong in their own end supporting Carey Price.
  • Work harder
    Players spoke about passengers in the game against the Sharks. There can be none against the first place Lightning.
  • Finish chances, finish periods
    Canadiens must take full advantage of any scoring opportunities that they create and play to the end of periods.
Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 4, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, SUN

2017-18 statistics
LIGHTNING CANADIENS
60 (1st) Points (rank) 36 (28th)
29-8-2 Record 16-20-4
13-5-1 Away/Home 9-8-3
8-2-0 Last 10 3-7-0
3.69 GF/G 2.50
2.36 GA/G 3.13
25.2 PP% 19.0
79.4 PK% 77.6
 52.44  CF%  51.01
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Namestnikov – Stamkos – Kucherov
Palat – Point – Johnson
Killorn – Gourde – Conacher
Kunitz – Paquette – Callahan		 Pacioretty – Danault – Hudon
Galchenyuk – Drouin – Lehkonen
Byron – Plekanec – Gallagher 
Deslauriers – Shaw – Carr
Defensemen
Hedman – Dotchin
Sergachev – Stralman
Coburn – Girardi		 Benn – Petry
Alzner – Schlemko
Morrow – Jerabek
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Koekkoek, Sustr,  Brown
Injured: Budaj		 Scratched: De La Rose, Froese
Injured: Weber, Hemsky, Montoya
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy Carey Price
Record: 26-5-1
GAA: 1.95
Sv%: .937
SO: 6
Alternate: Louis Domingue		 Record: 11-14-2
GAA: 3.01
Sv%: .906
SO: 1
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect
The Canadiens lost 3-1 to the Lightning a week ago, in what was considered a good game for the Habs. The fans may focus attention on Mikhail Sergachev as he continues to outplay Jonathan Drouin this season. 

Prediction: Canadiens 2  Lightning 5 

The Habs are at all time low and the Lightning can take advantage of it.
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