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A Good Test | PREVIEW: BOS @ MTL

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Habs looked like the better team from puck drop to the final buzzer. It was a full team effort in front of Jake Allen playing his second game since his injury and he played great. Jake Evans continues to make an impact and was the first star of the game, while Schueneman continues to prove he belongs in the NHL.

Last game: MTL 5  OTT 1  F

For a complete game recap: Good Night for Jakes | RECAP: OTT @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Brett Kulak
    In what was his last game in a Habs jersey, Kulak scored one of the best goals of his career. Kulak has been traded to the Edmonton Oilers.
  • Paul Byron
    Byron is finally healthy and has found his legs. The Habs are unlikely to find a suitor for the depth forward due to his high cap hit but seeing Byron healthy again and providing veteran leadership will be beneficial for the Habs the rest of the season.
  • Alexander Romanov
    The Habs would be wise to extend Romanov sooner rather than later as Alex has become one of the most stable defenders for the Habs. He will likely be rewarded with a significant contract if his play continues to impress.

Keys to Victory

  • Control possession
    The Habs did a great job last game against the Senatorss controlling possession. It won’t be as easy against the Bruins but this will be a real good test to see where they can measure up against a playoff team.
  • Maintain focus
    This will be a distracting day for the Habs as several players may be dealt. It will be key for the players that are playing to keep their focus on the game and not let the deadline get the better of them.
  • Win special teams
    The Habs special teams have begun to change since the coaching change. While there is still a lot of work to be done the Habs have taken a lot of strides this season and need to keep that up.
Statistical Matchup for Game 63
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 21, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS, ESPN+, NESN

2021-22  statistics
BRUINS CANADIENS
81 (9th) Points (rank) 43 (32nd)
38-19-5 Record 17-36-9
W1 Streak W1
7-2-1 Last 10 5-3-2
3.00 (16th) GF/G (rank) 2.52 (32nd)
2.66 (5th) GA/G (rank) 3.77 (32nd)
24.7 (5th) PP% (rank) 13.8 (30th)
81.7 (10th) PK%  (rank) 74.0 (29th)
53.4  Faceoff % 48.2
Pre-game Quotes
Martin St. Louis
  • “I think it would be a day where we shouldn’t have a game. There is a lot of worry, anxiety and stress.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Marchand – Nosek – DeBrusk
Hall – Haula – Pastrnak
Frederic – Coyle – Smith
Foligno – McLaughlin – Lazar		 Caufield – Suzuki – Anderson
– R. Pitlick – Hoffman
Drouin Dauphin – Dvorak – Armia
Pezzetta – Evans – Byron
Defensemen
Reilly – McAvoy
Grzelcyk – Carlo
Forbort – Clifton		 Edmundson – Petry
Romanov – Savard
Schueneman – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Zboril, Bergeron, Studnicka		 Scratched:
Injured: Gallagher (lower-body/illness),  Poehling (upper-body), Clague (upper-body), T. Pitlick (undisclosed), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman Jake Allen
Record: 17-8-3
GAA: 2.09
Sv%: .925
SO: 3
Alternate: Linus Ullmark		 Record: 6-16-3
GAA: 3.09
Sv%: .903
SO: 2
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
Happy Trade Deadline Day! The Habs were active early with the trade of Ben Chiarot last week. Habs management have repeatedly said that they are not giving away players and teams will have to meet their asking price. The Habs have been distracted with trade rumours for weeks now and having the trade deadline being over will allow the Habs to focus and just play hockey.

Bottom Line

While the Habs may still sit at the bottom of the standings, they have been playing smart disciplined hockey and have shown a lot of effort, exactly what the fans want to see.
 Video Highlights

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