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Canadiens @ Flames: Need A Win | 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

It was another frustrating game for the Habs as they were locked down by the Flames. Cayden Primeau gave up four goals in a game intended to give Jake Allen a night off.  The Habs need to work harder to get to the scoring areas.

Last game: MTL 2  CGY 5

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Flames: Getting Desperate

Players to Watch

  • Alexander Romanov
    Romanov playing only 14 minutes isn’t going to do much for the team or for the player. Its time to unleash the hard-hitting Russian.
  • Jeff Petry
    It’s been more than six weeks and more than 20 games since Petry’s last goal. He has been awful defensively as well in that time. Petry needs to figure it out or the coaching staff should send him a message.
  • Artturi Lehkonen
    With the injuries to a few forwards, Lehkonen has completely taken advantage of the  opportunity being one of the Canadiens most consistently strong players. Lehkonen is certainly making Dom Ducharme question his decision to scratch him earlier this season.

Keys to Victory

  • Get desperate
    The Habs have to play desperately as another loss could cost them a playoff spot. It’s time to show that they have something to play for.
  • Play with heart
    With the offence struggling, the Habs need to take advantage of a defenceman jumping up on every chance to create odd man rushes.
  • Shoot the puck
    The Flames have been outworking Montreal in one-on-one battles and then capitalizing on Habs’ mistakes. 
Statistical Matchup
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB | April 26, 6:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, SNW, RDS

2020-21 statistics
FLAMES CANADIENS
45 (22nd) Points (rank) 49 (18th)
21-23-3 Record 20-17-9
12-10-1 Home/Away 10-7-7
5-5-0 Last 10 3-7-0
2.68 GF/G 2.89
2.89 GA/G 2.87
19.7 (18th) PP% (rank) 19.1 (21st)
80.7 (12th) PK% (rank) 77.5 (24th)
52.26  CF% 54.67
Pre-game Quotes
Tyler Toffoli
  • “It’s that time of the year. I think everybody knew that it was going to come down to certain teams fighting for position. It’s not just us fighting for positions, it’s teams fighting for first and second and third. We’ve got to find a way, we’ve got to regroup, and Monday is a big match.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Gaudreau – Monahan – Mangiapane
Dube – Lindholm – Tkachuk
Lucic – Backlund – Ritchie
Nordstrom – Ryan – Robinson		 Toffoli – Suzuki – Armia
Tatar – Danault – Caufield
Anderson – Kotkaniemi – Perry
Lehkonen – Evans – Staal
Defensemen
Giordano – Tanev
Nesterov – Andersson
Valimaki – Stone		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Gustafsson – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Zagidulin
Injured: Leivo, Hanifin
 Scratched: Frolik, Kulak,  Romanov
Injured: Gallagher (hand), Price (concussion), Byron (lower-body), Drouin (illness)
Goalies
Jacob Markstrom Jake Allen
Record: 17-16-2
GAA: 2.75
Sv%: .903
SO: 3
Alternate: Louis Domingue		 Record: 8-9-4
GAA: 2.57
Sv%: .912
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The Habs need to win the final game of the season series between these two teams. Montreal has to play like a desperate team and avoid giving Calgary any additional momentum.

Bottom Line

The Habs have been playing a defensive, conservative style to protect their backup goaltenders. Montreal must let them stand on their own feet and do what it takes to create offence.
 Video Highlights

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