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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game: MTL 2  PHI 3 (OT)  

The Habs played well on the road game but failed to really test the Flyers third-string goalie. Jakub Voracek took over the game, tying it in the dying minutes and scoring the overtime winner as well.

For a complete recap: Habs Finding Ways to Lose

Players to watch

  • Rick Nash
    Nash is on his way out of New York as the Rangers have committed to a rebuild. Nash is a hot commodity and will likely be one of the marquee trades at this deadline.
  • Charlie Lindgren
    Lindgren could get the start in goal for Montreal after being recalled on an emergency basis from Laval. Carey Price is being evaluated after taking a shot to the mask against Philadelphia.
  • Michael Grabner
    Grabner is one of the fastest players in the league and could be another Ranger with a new home after the trade deadline.

Keys to Victory

  • Create turnovers on the forecheck
    The Canadiens need to apply more pressure on the forecheck to create turnovers and make it harder for teams to breakout of their zone.
  • Execute zone entries
    The Habs have have just a few skaters who can carry the puck into the opposition zone but must lean on those skilled players.
  • Don’t take penalties
    Montreal’s penalty kill is a mess. Until it can be improved, the Canadiens have to minimize penalties.
Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 22, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, MSG2

2017-18 statistics
RANGERS CANADIENS
59 (23rd) Points (rank) 52 (28th)
27-28-5 Record 22-29-8
9-17-2 Away/Home 14-10-6
2-8-0 Last 10 2-6-2
2.83 GF/G 2.53
3.12 GA/G 3.14
20.8 PP% 21.5
82.3 PK% 77.2
 46.37  CF%  51.30
eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Nash – Zibanejad – Buchnevich
Vesey – Hayes – Zuccarello
Grabner – Desharnais – Fast
McLeod – Holland – Miller		 Pacioretty – Drouin – Lehkonen
Byron – Plekanec – Gallagher
Galchenyuk – Danault – Hudon
Deslauriers – Froese – L. Shaw
Defensemen
Skjei – Pionk
Staal – DeAngelo
Gilmour – O’Gara		 Mete – Petry
Alzner – Juulsen
Morrow – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Carey
Injured: Kreider, Shattenkirk, McDonagh,
Kampfer, Pavelec
 Scratched: Schlemko, Carr, De La Rose
Injured: Weber, Hemsky, A. Shaw
Goalies
Alexandar Georgiev Antti Niemi
Record: 0-0-0
GAA: 0.00
Sv%: .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Henrik Lundqvist		 Record: 15-22-5
GAA: 2.98
Sv%: .904
SO: 1
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 What to Expect
Prediction: Canadiens 5  Rangers 3

With both teams being labeled as sellers at the deadline, press row at the Bell Centre could be overflowing with scouts. Several players on the ice will be auditioning for their next team. One losing streak will come to an end tonight.
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