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A New Bench Boss | PREVIEW: WSH @ MTL

Cole Jurzyniec

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Devils dominated the first period taking a 2-0 lead. Six minutes into the second frame, Brett Kulak scored bringing the Canadiens close. But any chance of a comeback was erased with New Jersey scoring three times before the second intermission. Tomas Tatar put the final nail in the coffin of this game scoring his ninth goal of the season.

Last game: MTL 1  NJD 7 F

For a complete game recap: Embarrassed Again | RECAP: NJD @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Cayden Primeau
    Primeau struggled again with a .794 save percentage against the Devils. It’s clear that Primeau should be returned to Laval as he is not yet ready for the big stage. With a save percentage of .874 at the NHL level this season, Primeau’s development is being negatively affected by keeping him with the Canadiens.
  • Ryan Poehling
    Under Dominique Ducharme, Poehling was constantly under threat to avoid being a healthy scratch. This was despite Poehling providing exactly the kind of gritty play that is expected of him. Hopefully he will be allowed to blossom with Martin St. Louis at the helm.
  • Brendan Gallagher
    Gallagher had an assist last time the Habs played Washington. And Gallagher has gone without a point and is a minus-9 in the seven games since then. With his hero behind the bench, it’s time for Gallagher to starting contributing on the ice.

Keys to Victory

  • Get quality shots
    The Capitals are a stingy team, giving up the third fewest shots on goal per game. And the Canadiens own the worst shooting percentage in the league. That’s a bad combination in favor of the Capitals.
  • Protect the net
    Washington is not the offensive powerhouse it once was ranking 11th in the league in goals scored per game. That said, the Canadiens must commit to an effective defensive strategy to protect their goaltender.
  • Stop the bleeding
    The Canadiens have been giving up goals in bunches and at inopportune times. Keeping the match tight by battling back after giving up a goal is a key factor in regaining confidence and pushing for a win.
Statistical Matchup for Game 46
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 10, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, NBCSWA

2021-22  statistics
CAPITALS CANADIENS
59 (11th) Points (rank) 23 (32nd)
25-14-9 Record 8-30-7
L2 Streak L5
4-6-0 Last 10 1-6-3
3.21 (11th) GF/G (rank) 2.20 (32nd)
2.77 (12th) GA/G (rank) 3.98 (32nd)
15.6 (29th) PP% (rank) 13.6 (31st)
78.0 (20th) PK%  (rank) 73.0 (30th)
46.6  Faceoff % 47.6
Pre-game Quotes
Martin St. Louis
  • “It’s always been my dream to be a head coach in the NHL. It was a matter of time. When Kent approached me, I thought it was about time.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Protas – Kuznetsov – Sheary
Snively – Backstrom – Wilson
McMichael – Eller – Sprong
Hagelin – Dowd – Hathaway		 Lehkonen – Suzuki – Toffoli
Byron – Evans – Anderson
Hoffman – Dauphin – Gallagher
Armia – Poehling – Caufield
Defensemen
Fehervary – Carlson
Orlov – Jensen
Van Riemsdyk – Schultz		 Chiarot – Romanov
Kulak – Petry
Clague – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Irwin, Kempny, Ovechkin
Injured: Mantha, Oshie, Vanacek		 Scratched: Paquette, Pezzetta, Pitlick
Injured: Dvorak (upper-body), Savard (ankle), Allen (lower-body), Drouin (upper-body), Perreault (lower-body), Edmundson (back), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Ilya Samsonov Cayden Primeau
Record: 14-6-3
GAA: 2.89
Sv%: .902
SO: 3
Alternate: Pheonix Copley		 Record: 1-6-1
GAA: 4.62
Sv%: .874
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The Canadiens are clear underdogs coming into this game. But even with minimal fans in the building, the players will have the emotional boost of playing for a new bench boss who is making his coaching debut. 

Bottom Line

The Habs have become accustomed to not only losing, but losing in embarrassing fashion. That has to stop and was one of the key reasons that Marty St. Louis was brought on board.
 Video Highlights

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