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

A Look Back

The Habs did their best containing Connor McDavid for two periods but in the third he took over and the Habs were nowhere to be found. Trying to defend a one goal lead against the best player in the league isn’t a recipe for success and the Habs paid dearly for it. The bigger concern is that Carey Price left the game after the first period after suffering a concussion . Price is expected to be out at least a week. Losing Price this late into the season could be troublesome for a team who are hanging on to a playoff spot.

Last game: MTL 1  EDM 4

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Oilers: Overwhelmed by McDavid

Players to Watch

• Jonathan Merrill
  Merrill will make his Habs debut after serving his quarantine. Merrill is a very good defender and has some mobility. Don’t expect anything too flashy from him as his season high in points is only 15.
• Jake Allen
  Allen is going to be leaned on the injury to Price. Allen has played reasonably well but has struggled with his rebound control. As the Habs work to play tighter defence with Jake in net and working to clean up rebounds, their offensive game has suffered. The team in front of him needs make a difference.
• Shea Weber
  Weber is known in the league for his powerful slapshot and it has been missing lately. A lack of time to wind up or not in a one timer option has been the one thing consistent for Weber this season and is a big reason he has only five goals this season.

Keys to Victory

• Shut down McDavid
  The Habs played with fire last game and got burned, McDavid turned it on in the third and scored three points while taking over the game. The Habs have to be smarter and can’t afford to let up on the MVP of the league at any point in the game.
• Get supplementary offence
  The Habs don’t have a player currently on their roster where every time he is on the ice you expect to score or get a high end chance. The Habs have done it by committee over the last several seasons. When it works they look untouchable but it hasn’t been and the Habs need to figure it out and find their offence once again.
• Win special teams
  While holding onto a one goal lead the Habs had chances on the power-play to double their lead but they were terrible with the man advantage. Nothing looked right and the Habs need a new approach from Alex Burrows. 

2020-21 statistics

• “You’re just trying to do everything it takes to win hockey games. You want the coaches’ trust. It gives you confidence in your game and you just want to go out there and play hard every shift. You want to be on the ice in those crucial minutes of the game and help your teammates with the hockey game. I’m just trying to do everything I can to help the team win and try to get some points here.”

Bottom Line