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 5 EDM 6 F Bad coverage, bad defense, and bad turnovers were on full display last game. The Habs put up 43 shots but they were not of the high danger variety. Claude Julien spoke about the team playing too loose and making mistakes all over the ice.

For a complete game recap: Habs Can’t Maintain Start

Players to watch

Nick Suzuki
Suzuki has eight points in the last five games. He has found his game and has been vital to the Habs power-play.
Shea Weber
The Habs didn’t play great defensively last game and need to be much sharper. Weber was a minus-3 and I’d bet on that not happening again..
Charlie Lindgren
Marc Bergevin made a mistake in signing Keith Kinkaid to an expensive contract. Now is not the time to rush Cayden Primeau into the NHL. Charlie Lindgren has been the best goalie in Laval, has a good NHL record and deserves this opportunity.

Keys to Victory

Clean up giveaways
The Habs again struggled with turnovers. They’re trying to do too much and need to keep it simple.
Defend better
Expect a much better effort on defense tonight.
Make better shot selections
The Habs have been lighting up the shot totals. It is helping their Corsi numbers but they need to make better choices when taking shots.

Statistical Matchup by All Habs
PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC \| December 31, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-CR
	2019-20 statistics
HURRICANES	2019-20 statistics	CANADIENS
48 (8th)	Points (rank)	42 (22nd)
23-14-2	Record	18-15-6
11-6-0	Home/Away	10-7-3
6-3-1	Last 10	6-4-0
3.36	GF/G	3.28
2.85	GA/G	3.26
23.4	PP%	24.3
81.8	PK%	76.4
55.15	CF%	54.14

Pre-game quotes
Claude Julien “[Charlie Lindgren] is here because we feel he’s capable of being here and doing the job, so it’s his chance tonight to help us win a hockey game.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Svechnikov – Staal – Foegele Niederreiter – Aho – Teravainen Dzingel – Haula – Necas McGinn – Wallmark – Martinook	Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Lehkonen – Domi – Suzuki Poehling – Kotkaniemi – Cousins Vejdemo – Thompson – Weal
Defensemen
Slavin – Hamilton Gardiner – Pesce Fleury – Edmundson	Chiarot – Weber Kulak – Petry Mete – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: van Riemsdyk Injured: none	Scratched: Folin, Reilly, Barber Injured: Drouin, Byron, Peca, Armia
Goalies
Petr Mrazek	Charlie Lindgren

Record: 15-8-2 GAA: – 2.74 Sv%: – .900 SO: 2 Alternate: James Reimer	Record: 0-0-0 GAA: – 0.00 Sv%: – .000 SO: 0 Alternate: Carey Price

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Habs will be a frustrated team after dropping the first two games of the road trip in Florida. The Canes are six points up on the Habs and have already beat the Habs once this season. Expect the Habs to play with a bit of an edge as they try to finish the year of with a win.

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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

2019-20 statistics