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Canadiens @ Flames: Battle For Playoff Spot | HABS PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview

A Look Back

The Habs frustrated the Oilers, solved Mike Smith, then collapsed in the third period but held on for the win. It was very physical game as the Habs finished with 46 hits. It changed the style of the game for the Oilers and will be interesting to see if the Habs can continue this way.

Last game: MTL 4  EDM 3

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Oilers: Weber, Anderson Lead Habs

Players to Watch

  • Jonathan Drouin
    The stat line for Drouin last game wasn’t very impressive with zero points, minus-1, four penalty minutes, and no hits. Drouin’s double minor was particularly harmful allowing the Oilers to make the game close. Drouin needs to start using his feet more than his hands.
  • Josh Anderson
    The Habs “Powerhorse” showed exactly why the Habs signed him long term. Now at 17 goals for the season, Anderson has found a groove with the Habs and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    Kotkaniemi had a monster game, setting up the first goal and had five hits. At only 20 years old, Kotkaniemi is going to get even stronger and will be able to bounce players off of him in the near future.

Keys to Victory

  • Be physical
    The Habs showed they can play a hard hitting playoff type game, but the Flames are a big team that will love that style. The Habs have to be ready for the Flames to push back.
  • Get off to a fast start
    The Flames have lost two in a row and know they need to win this game. A fast start by the Habs will sink the Flames confidence.
  • Win special teams
    Sometimes all it takes is one lucky goal to kick start a power-play. The Habs power-play has been dismal but if the Habs outwork their opposition, they will get some chances.
Statistical Matchup
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB | April 23, 9:00 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS

2020-21 statistics
FLAMES CANADIENS
41 (22nd) Points (rank) 49 (17th)
19-23-3 Record 20-15-9
10-10-1 Home/Away 10-5-7
4-6-0 Last 10 4-6-0
2.60 GF/G 2.93
2.93 GA/G 2.80
19.4 (20th) PP% (rank) 19.0 (21st)
80.7 (11th) PK% (rank) 77.8 (22nd)
52.26  CF% 54.95
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme
  • “I don’t think the Flames saw our team play like we can play. So that’s what we’re going to bring tonight.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Gaudreau – Lindholm – Tkachuk
Mangiapane – Monahan – Ritchie
Lucic – Backlund – Nordstrom
Dube – Ryan – Leivo		 Toffoli – Suzuki – Armia
Tatar – Danault – Anderson
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Byron
Drouin – Staal – Perry
Defensemen
Giordano – Tanev
Hanifin – Andersson
Valimaki – Stone		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Romanov – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Nesterov, Zagidulin
Injured:
 Scratched: Frolik, Evans, Kulak, Gustafsson
Injured: Gallagher (hand), Price (concussion)
Goalies
Jacob Markstrom Jake Allen
Record: 15-16-2
GAA: 2.80
Sv%: .902
SO: 3
Alternate: Louis Domingue		 Record: 8-8-4
GAA: 2.54
Sv%: .912
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
These teams will play three games in the next four days with the first one being the most important one of all. This series will see the Flames give it their all as losing more than one will almost eliminate them from catching the Habs.

Bottom Line

But tonight’s game will set the tone for the remaining two in what is likely to be a very nasty series to finish the season games against the Flames.
 Video Highlights

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