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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 4 PHI 1 F Ilya Kovalchuk had his first multi-goal game for the Habs as he becomes a key piece of the offence. Tomas Tatar continued his career season with a three-point night and Artturi Lehkonen scored his 11th goal of the season. Carey Price was stellar in net making 40 saves.

For a complete game recap: Price Makes 40 Saves for Habs Win

Players to watch

Joel Armia
Armia has been back one game and his effect on the Habs was noticeable. His spot in the lineup was a big hole that the Habs couldn’t replace and now that he’s back hopefully he can continue the strong season he was having before the injury.
Tomas Tatar & Nick Suzuki
Tatar and Suzuki the two main pieces the Habs acquired for Max Pacioretty. All three players are having great seasons.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Since returning from his concussion, Kotkaniemi has been physical and showed another element last game. Standing up for his teammate, Kotkaniemi dropped the gloves and convincingly won his first NHL fight.

Keys to Victory

Play with confidence
The Habs played with confidence on the road against a strong home team in the Flyers. They need to bring that kind of confidence home to the Bell Centre.
Finish chances
The Habs need to keep their scoring touch going, the Golden Knights are never an easy matchup and won’t give up many quality chances.

Play smart defence
The Golden Knights are going to come quick and the Habs defense have to be ready. Defensive turnovers will be deadly for the Habs if they can’t move the puck out quickly.

Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| January 18, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: SNE, CITY, TVAS, ATTSN-RM
	2019-20 statistics
GOLDEN KNIGHTS	2019-20 statistics	CANADIENS
56 (16th)	Points (rank)	49 (24th)
25-19-6	Record	21-21-7
11-9-3	Away/Home	9-12-4
5-5-0	Last 10	3-6-1
3.04	GF/G	3.02
3.02	GA/G	3.10
21.9	PP%	20.7
78.8	PK%	78.6
53.75	CF%	53.94

Pre-game quotes
Shea Weber “They’re obviously a good team to begin with, a lot of good players, and usually a team that makes a coaching change, guys are kind of on edge and it seems to bring out the best in guys in most occasions.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Pacioretty – Stastny – Stone Marchessault – Stephenson – Smith Nosek – Eakin – Tuch Carrier – Roy – Reaves	Tatar – Danault – Kovalchuk Domi – Suzuki – Armia Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Poehling Cousins – Thompson – Weise
Defensemen
McNabb – Schmidt Holden – Theodore Hague – Engelland	Chiarot – Weber Scandella – Petry Mete – Kulak
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Merrill Injured: Karlsson, Glass	Scratched: Weal, Fleury Injured: Drouin, Byron, Gallagher
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury	Carey Price

Record: 18-9-3 GAA: – 2.84 Sv%: – .908 SO: 2 Alternate: Malcolm Subban	Record: 19-16-4 GAA: – 2.82 Sv%: – .909 SO: 2 Alternate: Charlie Lindgren

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Golden Knights made a shocking coaching change earlier this week. Gerard Gallant was fired even though the team is currently in a playoff spot and the coach had led them deep in the playoffs in previous years. The Habs will play their last game before they have their bi-week and the All-star game. The playoffs aren’t likely but the time off will be good for the players and should help the Habs prepare for the end of the season. .

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

2019-20 statistics