LEXINGTON, KY — This week the Canadiens will play two in Florida, then back home fore two more games. The Habs will face Tampa Bay and Florida, then Carolina and San Jose at home.
Calendar: March 16 – March 22
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Montreal Canadiens
The Habs (43-19-7) are coming off a 3-1 win against the Islanders last Saturday and start their week Monday at Tampa Bay. Montreal is still first in the Atlantic Division but they have dropped to fifth in the league with 93 points. They are 5-3-2 in their last ten games played.
Players to Watch
Max Pacioretty. Last week Pacioretty gained three more goals, moving his total up to 34 goals this season (4th).
Lars Eller. Eller has picked up thee points in his last two games. He has 21 total points this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
Montreal still leads the league with the best goals against average at 2.17.
The Habs hurt themselves every game by limiting their shots. They average 28.3 shots a game and allow 30.5 shots against, giving their opponent the advantage.
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Monday
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning (42-21-7) are coming off a 2-1 loss against Winnipeg last Saturday and start their week Monday against Montreal. Tampa Bay is second in the Atlantic Division and sixth in the league with 91 points. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Tyler Johnson. Johnson hasn’t had any points in his last two games but he has three in his last five games and 65 points this season.
Steven Stamkos. Stamkos had a goal last week against Boston and he has 37 goals this season (3rd).
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Lightning does a good job limiting their opponent’s shots per game to an average of 27.6.
Tampa Bay has an unproductive power-play at just 17.8 per cent.
The Panthers (31-24-14) are coming off a 2-1 loss against the Rangers last Sunday and start their week Tuesday against Montreal. Florida is sixth in the Atlantic Division and 20th in the league with 76 points. They are 5-3-2 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Jussi Jokinen. Jokinen has four assists in his last five games and 32 assists this season.
Nick Bjugstad. Bjugstad has four points in his last five games and 42 total points this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
Florida gets a lot of shots on net, averaging 30.7 per game.
The Panthers have a very cold power-play at 15.8 per cent (27th.
The Hurricanes (26-34-8) last game was a 3-2 win against Columbus last Sunday. They will play Ottawa Tuesday before facing Montreal Thursday. Carolina is eighth in the Metropolitan Division and 27th in the league with 60 points. They are 5-4-1 in the last ten games.
Players to Watch
Victor Rask. Rask has seven points in his last five games and 27 total this season.
Justin Faulk. Faulk had a goal last Sunday to help beat Columbus and he leads Carolina with 45 points.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
Carolina has a great penalty-kill at 85.3 per cent (4th).
The Hurricanes struggle to score, averaging just 2.31 goals per game.
The Sharks (34-27-8) last game was a 6-2 loss against Chicago last Saturday. They will play Toronto Thursday before playing Montreal Saturday. San Jose is fifth in the Pacific Division and 19th in the league with 76 points. They are 5-5-0 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
Joe Thornton. Thornton has five points in his last five games as well as 44 assists this season (6th).
Tommy Wingels. Wingels has two points in his last two games and 31 points this season.
Strengths (+)
Weaknesses (-)
The Sharks’ power-play is tough to stop at 22.0 per cent (5th).
San Jose might have a strong power-play, but their penalty-kill is one of the worst in the league at 79.5 per cent.
