LEXINGTON, KY — This upcoming week the Canadiens go West to play four on the road, with stops in San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Arizona. Last week the Habs went 3-0 with a powerful offensive performance, scoring five goals against both St. Louis and Columbus, and four goals against Toronto.
Calendar: March 2 – March 8
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
AWAY
AWAY
AWAY
AWAY
~~~
Montreal Canadiens
The Habs (41-16-5) are coming off a 4-0 win against Toronto last Saturday and start their week against San Jose Monday. Montreal is still first in the Atlantic Division and third in the league with 87 points. They are 7-1-2 in their last ten games played.
Players to Watch
P.K. Subban. Subban has six points in his last three games and 48 points this season. He’s closing in on last year’s total of 53 points with plenty of games to beat his season high in the NHL of 53.
Brendan Gallagher. Gallagher has seven points in his last five games and five game-winning goals this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
Montreal’s penalty-kill is on fire at 86.0 per cent.
Although the Habs’ penalty-kill is doing great, their power-play is struggling at 16.5 per cent (25th).
~~~
Monday
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks (30-25-8) are coming off a 4-2 loss against Ottawa last Saturday. San Jose is fifth in the Pacific Division and 19th in the league with 68 points. They are 2-7-1 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Joe Pavelski. Pavelski has five assists in his last five games and 31 goals this season (4th).
Patrick Marleau. Marleau has two goals in his last two games and 45 points this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Sharks have a strong power-play at 20.9 per cent.
San Jose gives up a lot of goals, averaging 2.79 goals against per game.
Matchup
Monday March 2 | San Jose, CA.
CANADIENS
(statistics as of March 1, 2015)
SHARKS
87 (3rd)
Points
68 (19th)
19-9-1 (away)
Home/Away Record
14-14-5 (home)
2.66 (18th)
Goals per game
2.75 (16th)
2.14 (1st)
Goals Against per game
2.79 (23rd)
28.5 (25th)
Shots per game
30.8 (11th)
30.2 (22nd)
Shots Against per game
29.9 (20th)
16.5% (25th)
Power-play
20.9% (7th)
86.0% (3rd)
Penalty-kill
79.5% (25th)
Season Series
March 21, 2015 | MTL SJS |
March 2, 2015 | MTL SJS |
~~~
Wednesday
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks (40-17-7) are coming off a 3-1 win against Dallas last Sunday and will play Arizona Tuesday before playing Montreal Wednesday. Anaheim is first in the Pacific Division and second in the league with 87 points. They are 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf has three points in his last two games and 61 points this season (8th).
Corey Perry. Perry has three goals in his last two games and 27 goals this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Ducks have a good offence, averaging 2.83 goals per game and they do well on faceoff with a 51.4 per cent win percentage.
Anaheim’s power-play is struggling at 17.4 per cent.
The Kings (29-21-12) are coming off a 5-2 loss against Winnipeg last Saturday. They play Edmonton Tuesday and Montreal Thursday. Los Angeles is fourth in the Pacific Division and 17th in the league with 70 points. They are 7-3-0 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Jeff Carter. Carter had two goals in his last game and has 48 points this season.
Anze Kopitar. Kopitar has two assists in his last four games and 33 total this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Kings have a stingy defence that averages just 2.50 goals against per game.
Los Angeles’ penalty-kill is hurting at 80.4 per cent.
The Coyotes (20-36-7) are coming off a 4-1 loss against Boston last Saturday and will play Vancouver Thursday before playing Montreal Saturday. Arizona is sixth in the Pacific Division and 28th in the league with 47 points. They are 1-9-0 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Sam Gagner. Carter had two goals in his last game and has 48 points this season.
Martin Erat. Erat has three points in his last three games and 29 total this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Coyotes have a strong power-play at 21.6 per cent (5th).
Arizona can’t keep the puck out of their net, averaging 3.32 goals against per game (30th). They also struggle to score, with an average of just 2.13 goals a game.
