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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : TOR 3  MTL 2  OT 

Unexpectedly, the Habs played a great game. They controlled possession and outshot the Leafs. That said, Toronto had the far better scoring chances and Carey Price has to be the best player for the Canadiens. Montreal let this one slip away though, after some questionable penalty calls and a bad line change. The Habs left with a single point but will look to use this as motivation for their first win of the season.

For a complete game recap: Habs Pleased With Effort, Disappointed With Result

Players to watch

  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    Again, all eyes will be on the young 18 year-old. After holding his own against the Leaf centers and getting his first point in his first game he’ll have another test matching up against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin most of the night.
  • Mike Reilly
    Reilly was given a chance and he took it. He had the second highest time on ice for the Habs and made the right play most times he had the puck. His mobility along with his size makes him the Habs best choice to have on the ice.
  • Jonathan Drouin
    While the Canadiens showed a good compete level against the Leafs Drouin was a glaring exception. He looked disinterested most of the night and made two terrible errors in overtime that led to the Leafs winning goal. He should own his mistakes and put the team on his back tonight.

Keys to Victory

  • Play tight
    The Pens are another high offensive team that turn mistakes into goals, the Habs cannot give them space or time.
  • Stay focused
    It’s difficult to ramp up the concentration level on every shift this early in the season but the Canadiens must have attention to detail if they will win in Pittsburgh.
  • Continue the compete level
    The Habs compete level was a lot better than last season and it is something they have to repeat every night if they want to make playoffs.
Matchup by All Habs staff
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA | October 6, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CITY, TVAS, NHLN

2018-19 statistics
PENGUINS CANADIENS
2 (12th) Points (rank) 1 (19th)
1-1-0 Record 0-0-1
1-0-0 Home/Away 0-0-1
1-1-0 Last 10 0-0-1
7.00 GF/G 2.00
6.00 GA/G 3.00
33.3 PP% 25.0
100.0 PK% 66.7
56.19  CF%  57.27
eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Guentzel – Crosby – Hornqvist
Hagelin – Malkin – Kessel
Simon – Brassard – Rust
Cullen – Sheahan – Sprong		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Byron – Domi – Lehkonen
Hudon – Peca – Shaw
Defensemen
Dumoulin – Letang
Maatta – Johnson
Oleksiak – Schultz		 Mete – Petry
Reilly – Juulsen
Benn – Ouellet
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Ruhwedel, Grant, Riikola
Injured: None
 Scratched: Alzner, Scherbak, Plekanec
Injured: Weber, Schlemko, De la Rose, Deslauriers
Goalies
Matt Murray Carey Price
Record: 1-0-0
GAA: – 5.87
Sv%: – .833
SO: 0
Alternate: Casey DeSmith		 Record: 0-0-1
GAA: – 2.95
Sv%: – .885
SO: 0
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Pens should be playing a much tighter game after opening their season with a high scoring 7-6 overtime win. The Habs can’t afford to go goal for goal with the Pens but taking advantage of the Pens defensive game is something they will want to do. Keeping Crosby and Malkin in check all night is always a task but over committing to them is a mistake and something they take advantage of every time. Expect another great game from Price and another close game for the Habs. .
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