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A Reunion for Toffoli | PREVIEW: MTL @ LAK

Sam Gerber

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

Montreal Canadiens vs Los Angeles Kings Game Day
Game Preview

A Look Back

Jake Allen had his best game of the season stopping all 45 shots in San Jose. The offense took care of the rest, putting up four goals for only the second time this season. Suzuki had two assists but his line was dominated by his San Jose counterparts.

Last game: MTL 4  SJS 0  F

For a complete game recap: First Win in San Jose Since 1999 | RECAP: MTL @ SJS

Players to Watch

  • Mike Hoffman
    Hoffman continues to score, now with a goal in his last three games. It only took Hoffman a few games to get up to speed again. He provides the Habs their best scoring threat on a nightly basis and the Habs need to continue to give him the opportunities.
  • Jeff Petry
    No points in eight games so far this year is troublesome for Petry who had a terrific start to last season. It should only be a matter of time and once he gets his first point the frustration will be gone and Petry will be able to just play his game once again.
  • Brendan Gallagher
    It took longer than he had hoped but Gallagher finally got his first goal of the season. Gallagher is the glue for this team and if he can have a strong season he can power this team to the playoffs, hopefully this goal sparks him and his team and he finds his scoring touch again.

Keys to Victory

  • Put the puck in the net
    The two games the Habs have won this season they’ve outscored their opponents 10-to-1. Scoring is obviously the key for the Habs but having the lead after one period has given the team a ton of confidence and something they need to continue to try and do.
  • Build on the win
    For a struggling team one win lifted a lot of weight off their shoulders but it means nothing if they can’t have that type of effort and performance again.
  • Win special teams
    A power-play goal was the dagger the Habs needed last game. It’s that type of goal the Habs need from their power-play every game. A flat power-play crushes their momentum but one that may be starting to click gives them a much needed boost.
Statistical Matchup for Game 9
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA | October 30, 4:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, BSW, ESPN+

2021-22  statistics
KINGS CANADIENS
3 (30th) Points (rank) 4 (29th)
1-5-1 Record 2-6-0
L3 Streak W1
1-5-1 Last 10 2-6-0
2.29 GF/G 1.88
3.29 GA/G 3.13
17.4 (18th) PP% (rank) 10.3 (30th)
61.9 (31st) PK%  (rank) 69.0 (28th)
48.7  Faceoff % 46.3
Pre-game Quotes
Tyler Toffoli
  • “I have a lot of friends [in Los Angeles.] I played with several guys who still live here. We have a great group [during the summer], it’s a good environment. It’s easy for me to train and skate all the time.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Arvidsson – Kopitar – Brown
Kempe – Danault – Iafallo
Moore – Kupari – Kaliyev
Grundstrom – Lizotte – Vilardi		 Hoffman – Suzuki – Gallagher
Drouin – Dvorak – Anderson
Toffoli – Perreault – Caufield
Lehkonen – Paquette – Armia
Defensemen
Bjornfot – Anderson
Maatta – Roy
Edler – Strand		 Chiarot – Petry
Romanov – Savard
Niku – Kulak
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Lemieux, Tkachev, Clague
Injured: Doughty, Andersson, Byfield, Athansiou
 Scratched: Brooks, Wideman
Injured: Evans (undisclosed), Edmundson (family), Norlinder (lower-body), Price (player assistance program), Byron (hip), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Cal Petersen Jake Allen
Record: 1-2-0
GAA: 3.71
Sv%: .885
SO: 0
Alternate: Jonathan Quick		 Record: 2-5-0
GAA: 2.60
Sv%: .913
SO: 1
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The Kings are one of only three teams below the Habs in the standings meaning they will be as desperate as the Habs are. It’s still early in the season but if either team can’t string a few wins together they will see their playoff chances start to dwindle making this game extremely important. It’s a winnable game for either team but it will be the team that wants it more that gets the much needed two points.

Bottom Line

The Habs are trying to prove last season’s Cup run wasn’t a fluke and need to demonstrate it by beating non-playoff teams like the Kings.
 Video Highlights

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