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

A Look Back

The Habs played a tight checking game but heavily relied on Jake Allen who stole a point for the Habs. In overtime, Jonathan Drouin made a strong rush to the net that sat in the crease for a split second before the Avs cleared it, springing them on a two-on-one to win the game. Hockey is a game of inches and this night it didn’t work out for the Habs but getting a single point against the defending champions should be considered a solid night.

Last game: MTL 1  COL 2  F/OT

For a complete game recap: Allen Steals a Point | RECAP: MTL @ COL

Players to Watch

• Kirby Dach
  Dach played very well last game and controlled a lot of the play when he was on the ice. A big part was his strong skating and determination to win battles. That was the type of the player the Habs envisioned when they traded for him and hope to see a lot more of that.
• Jonathan Drouin
  Drouin was noticeable for the first time this season. Drouin has put himself in a very difficult spot with a lot to prove. The Canadiens are giving him every opportunity to find his game so a trade partner will take notice.
• Kaiden Guhle
  Guhle had one of his tougher games against the Avs. The heavy forecheck from the Avs caused some uncharacteristic turnovers. The positive is Guhle bent but didn’t break and finished the hard fought game strong.

Keys to Victory

• Clear the puck
  Blown coverage and missed assignments were a downfall against the Avalanche. This is part of the fundamentals of the game and gave Jake Allen to have a heavy workload. It’s something that the Habs will want to clean up before taking on the Stars tonight.
• Create offense
  The Habs offense has been struggling of late with the first line not generating a lot the rest of the team has to do their part. The Habs play a heavy offensive team in the Stars tonight so the Habs will have to fight offense with some offense of their own if they want a chance at winning.
• Win special teams
  The Stars have a strong power-play and the Habs would be wise to not test it as a penalty-filled game against the Stars would be a recipe for disaster.

2022-23  statistics

• “We stole a point… If we had been able to collect two points, it would have been downright a burglary.”

Bottom Line