LEXINGTON, KY — This upcoming week the Canadiens are back home, playing two games after going 1-4 on the road. The Habs will play Vancouver Tuesday night and Los Angeles Friday. It will be an emotional week for the entire Canadiens organization with a tribute to Jean Beliveau prior to the game against Vancouver on Tuesday. The funeral for Mr. Beliveau will take place on Wednesday at 2:00 pm at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.
On Friday, Canadiens fans in Sarnia and Lambton County will be heading to an All Habs Hockey Party to watch the Montreal – Los Angeles game at BrownStones Sports Lounge. To join us, RSVP here.
Calendar: December 8-14
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HOME
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Montreal Canadiens
The Habs (17-10-2) go into the week after losing three of their last four games while on the road as well as dropping to third in the Atlantic Division (11th overall in the league) with 36 points. The Canadiens are 3-6-1 in their last ten games played.
Players to Watch
Tomas Plekanec. With 20 points, Plekanec is tied for the team highest. He has 3 assists in his last four games.
P.K. Subban. After his contract extension, Subban had a quiet start to the season but has picked up his play as of late with three power-play goals and a 13 per cent shot percentage (third on the team.)
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Habs’ defence has been an important factor with an average goals against of 2.6 per game (13th) and a strong penalty-kill at 83.8 per cent.
Opposite the defence, the Habs’ offence remains cold with just a 2.4 goals per game average as well as a power-play at 14.5 per cent (24th).
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Tuesday
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks (18-8-1) are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss against the Senators last Sunday, putting them at 6-3-1 in their last ten games played. Vancouver is second in the Pacific Division with 37 points.
Players to Watch
Henrik Sedin. Henrik and his brother Daniel lead the Canucks with 25 points each (15th). Henrik has 19 assists this season.
Radim Vrbata. Vrbata leads Vancouver in goals with 11, five of which have been on the power-play (11th).
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Canucks are averaging three goals a game (6th) and have a stingy penalty-kill at 85.4 per cent this season.
Vancouver allows an average of 2.7 goals against per game and has a faceoff win percentage of only 48.8 per cent.
The Kings (14-8-5) will play the Habs December 12th after playing the Senators the day before. L.A. is fourth in the Pacific Division with 33 points and 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli leads the Kings with 20 points and boasts rating of plus-14. The 22-year-old also leads the NHL with four short-handed goals.
Tanner Pearson. Pearson has three game-winning goals this season (4th) and a shot percentage of 22.2 per cent.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
Goaltending and team defence. The Kings are only allowing an average 2.1 goals against per game (3rd.)
The LA offence is cold all around with an average of just 2.6 goals per game and a power-play at 16.7 per cent (19th.)
