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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 6 TOR 5 (SO) It’s been a long time since the last regular season game on April 6th where Ryan Poehling dazzled. Montreal missed out on the playoffs by just a couple of points but with some added youth to the lineup and a chip on their shoulder the Habs are determined to make the playoffs and go on a run.

Welcome back to another exciting Canadiens season. As always All Habs Hockey Magazine will have your pregame analysis, starting lineups, and keys to the game for each of the 82 games this year.

For a complete game recap: Habs Poehling with Memorable Debut

Players to watch

Shea Weber
Weber is healthy for start of the season this year which might have been the difference maker last season. Weber’s presence on the ice is massive and opponents know they’re going to be in for a tough night when he’s protecting Carey Price.
Nick Suzuki
Suzuki is one of two rookies to make the Habs opening night roster. Suzuki brings a high compete and high hockey I.Q. to the ice. There will be some growing pains this season but he could bring some much needed offense to the Habs lineup
Cale Fleury
Fleury was the other rookie to make the team out of camp. Fleury had a great camp who showed he can skate with the puck and can be physical. He will really help the Habs breakout and should be a reliable all season long.

Keys to Victory

Get a hot start
Playing on the road the first few games this season the Habs have to be an aggressive team that gets on the board early not allowing the home teams to get comfortable and get their fans involved.
Execute on the power-play
The Habs power-play will be talked about all year long as it was dismal last season. A fresh start and some early goals will give this team some confidence early in the season that could carry out the rest of the year.
Stick to the game plan
The Habs surprised a number of teams last year with their high energy fore-checking game style which is something they have to stick to once again. Getting caught up in the moment and not sticking to the plan could derail the Habs playoffs hopes early.

Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC \| October 3, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-CR
	2018-19 statistics
HURRICANES	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
99 (11th)	Points (rank)	96 (14th)
46-29-7	Record	44-30-8
24-13-4	Home/Away	19-18-4
6-4-0	Last 10	7-2-1
2.96	GF/G	3.00
2.70	GA/G	2.88
17.8	PP%	13.2
81.6	PK%	80.9
54.67	CF%	54.42

Pre-game quotes
Nick Suzuki “I’m not too nervous right now. Probably closer to game time, I’ll have some nerves. But once I get out there and get going, it’s just hockey at the end of the day and I’m going to have fun with it.” Cale Fleury “There are obviously a little bit of nerves, it’s something I’ve been working for my whole life. But I think I just need to stay as calm as I can.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs staff
Forwards
McGinn – Aho – Niederreiter Teravainen – Staal – Svechnikov Dzingel – Haula – Martinook Foegele – Wallmark – Necas	Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Lehkonen – Domi – Suzuki Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Armia Byron – Thompson – Weal
Defensemen
Slavin – Hamilton Edmundson – Pesce Gardiner – Fleury	Mete – Weber Chiarot – Petry Kulak – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: none Injured: van Riemsdyk	Scratched: Cousins, Folin, Reilly Injured: Juulsen, McCarron, Teasdale
Goalies
Petr Mrazek	Carey Price

Record: 0-0-0 GAA: – 0.00 Sv%: – .000 SO: 0 Alternate: James Reimer	Record: 0-0-0 GAA: – 0.00 Sv%: – .000 SO: 0 Alternate: Keith Kinkaid

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Habs have a number of players that have something to prove this year and it’s up to them to show up right from the start. The Hurricanes were a surprising playoff team that have kept their core together. Like the Habs the Hurricanes are a young team and have some fire power. Sebastian Aho leads the way for them who signed an Offer Sheet with the Habs this off-season giving the Hurricanes some motivation to stick it to the Habs tonight. The Habs have to use their depth to their advantage and need to start the season with the win. It’s hard to play catch up all year and losing an early season game that’s winnable could just decide the Habs playoffs faint now.

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

2018-19 statistics