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

Game Preview

A Look Back

The Habs were exposed by a far better team right from the start. Down two goals early, the Habs compete level was nowhere to be found in the second when the Lightning doubled their lead making a comeback next to impossible. Nick Suzuki stopped the bleeding early in the third but the Lightning limited the Habs scoring chances. This was the final home game of 2022 for the Habs as they start a difficult seven game road trip over the next three weeks.

Last game: MTL 1 TBL 5 F

For a complete game recap: Bolts Zap Habs | RECAP: TBL @ MTL

Players to Watch

Christian Dvorak
The Habs lack of depth scoring is a big issue for the team that can be fixed if Dvorak can be more consistent. It’s a quality that separates good and great players and if Dvorak can find a way to become more consistent it will do wonders for the rest of his career and the Habs season.
Josh Andersom
Anderson was promoted to the first line last game as the combinations were tossed in a blender. Anderson hasn’t looked great in this role each time he has been giving it which makes one wonder if this is a team trying to showcase a player to maximize trade value.
Kaiden Guhle
One of the most important players for the Habs this season has been Guhle, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time as a rookie with twelve points. Guhle will only get better and at the young age of 20 the Habs will more than likely watch Guhle become a leader for the Habs in the next few years.

Keys to Victory

Start strong
During a three game losing streak it will be key for the Habs to get an early lead and get their confidence back. The Habs are starting to slide and need a great start against a Coyotes team that isn’t putting up much of a fight this season.
Shoot the puck
The Habs should be throwing everything on net and get back to the basics making the goalies night difficult. A handful of shots a period doesn’t cut it.
Stay disciplined
Penalty trouble got the better of the Habs once again and will never be a recipe for success. Habs have to be a lot more disciplined to have a chance at a win.

Statistical Matchup for Game 32
Mullett Arena, Tempe, AZ \| December 19, 10:00 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSAZX
	2022-23 statistics
COYOTES	2022-23 statistics	CANADIENS
24 (29th)	Points (rank)	30 (24th)
10-15-4	Record	14-15-2
L1	Streak	L3
3-6-1	Last 10	3-6-1
2.79 (26th)	GF/G (rank)	2.74 (28th)
3.66 (28th)	GA/G (rank)	3.55 (25th)
20.0 (24th)	PP% (rank)	14.0 (32nd)
76.6 (20th)	PK% (rank)	79.0 (16th)
46.0	Faceoff %	51.2

Pre-game Quotes
Marty St. Louis “I think staying patient is important, but I think the truth through that process is probably more important. We have to look at where we can be better and keep building, but the truth is everything.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Keller – Boyd – Schmaltz Crouse – Bjugstad – Maccelli Fischer – McBain – Kassian Ritchie – Hayton – Valimaki	Caufield – Suzuki – Anderson Slafkovsky – Dach – Drouin Dadonov – Dvorak – Hoffman Richard – Evans – Armia
Defensemen
Chychrun – Gostisbehere Moser – Brown Nemeth – Stecher	Edmundson – Guhle Harris – Kovacevic Xhekaj – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Timmins Injured: Ladd, O’Brien	Scratched: Pezzetta Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), (undisclosed), Gallagher (lower-body), Savard (upper-body injury), Monahan (lower-body), Matheson (lower-body)
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka	Sam Montembeault

Record: 9-8-3 GAA: 3.11 Sv%: .911 SO: 2 Alternate: Connor Ingram	Record: 5-3-2 GAA: 2.98 Sv%: .908 SO: 0 Alternate: Jake Allen

Game Expectations

The biggest road trip for the season for the Habs begins, while it is broken up by a brief holiday break the Habs need to get some wins back before the break or they will see their chances at a playoff spot start to fall drastically. The Coyotes are in a similar situation seeing their playoff chances go from slim to next to impossible which is exactly their plan as they have hopes at the number one overall pick. This is a great opportunity for the Habs to get back in the win column and get some of their mojo back before the break.

Bottom Line

This is a winnable game for the Habs that believe they are a much better team than the standings would suggest.

Video Highlights

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1 COMMENT

little molly et ami December 19, 2022 At 7:03 pm

salut-bien chers amis
hi sam
thanks for the pre-game
as always
gotta put 2 in the bank tonite
no excuses.
CH55,out?gotta play him
gotta find a way to keep him in the line-up,,,
the kid can play.
bonne match a soir
on attendra apres le post-game
cheers,

Comments are closed.