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Canadiens @ Maple Leafs: Getting Back on Track | HABS PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview

A Look Back

The Habs have hit a slump, one they can’t afford. On top of that the offense has sputtered the last few games. Last game, the Oilers took advantage and got the win. The Habs may have had 38 shots on goal but none got past Mike Smith, who earned his 40th career shutout.

Last game: MTL 0  EDM 3  F

For a complete game recap:  Oilers @ Canadiens: Habs Blanked

Players to Watch

  • Carey Price
    With the Habs in a slump the best players need to lead and fans can expect Price to do just that. Price’s high-danger save percentage is at the top of the league this season. Now the Canadiens defence needs to step up.
  • Shea Weber
    The Habs need their leaders to step up, Weber has been a minus in the last two games and hasn’t registered a point in the last four. Expect the captain to make a difference tonight.
  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson has been one of the most consistent players for the Habs this season and has made a big impact. If he can continue his play while connecting on some of the big hits he’s thrown, the Habs will have the player they envisioned when they traded for him.

Keys to Victory

  • Play with urgency
    The Habs failed to show any urgency when they needed it last game, that can’t happen twice in a row. A losing streak this season could cost the Habs and they need to show some fight.
  • Win puck battles
    Wanting it more is what it comes down to, the Habs need to want it more in order to win the puck battles and they can’t be afraid to go to the dirty areas.
  • Respond to speed bumps
    If the Habs do fall behind they have to respond, they have been quiet the last few games but with a week off after tonight they can afford to leave it on the ice. 
Statistical Matchup
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | February 13, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, TVAS, CBC, CITY

2020-21 statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
23 (1st) Points (rank) 18 (6th)
11-2-1 Record 8-4-2
6-1-0 Home/Away 5-0-2
8-1-1 Last 10 6-4-0
3.71 GF/G 3.57
2.57 GA/G 2.64
34.9 (4th) PP% (rank) 20.8 (17th)
76.9 (21st) PK% (rank) 79.7 (19th)
50.49  CF% 54.31
Pre-game Quotes
 Joel Edmundson
  • “To make a defenseman’s life tough, just get pucks deep and work it down low. It sounds cliché, but it really works. It wears down the defensemen, so just more puck time in the offensive zone. I think the past couple of games we’ve been more of a one-and-done type team, but just work down low, protect the puck with our bodies and get those greasy goals. Lots of goals in this League are scored within 10 feet of the net, so just get those greasy goals and get to the inside.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Hyman – Matthews – Marner
Mikheyev – Tavares – Nylander
Vesey – Kerfoot – Engvall
Petan – Boyd – Spezza		 Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Lehkonen – Evans – Byron
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Muzzin – Holl
Dermott – Bogosian		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Mete – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Barabanov, Lehtonen, Woll
Injured: Thornton, Robertson, Campbell,  Simmonds
 Scratched: Kulak, Perry
Injured:
Goalies
Frederik Andersen Carey Price
Record: 9-2-1
GAA: – 2.59
Sv%: – .908
SO: 0
Alternate:  Michael Hutchinson		 Record: 4-2-2
GAA: – 2.84
Sv%: – .896
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
Tonight’s game could be the answer to if the Habs are going to be serious this season. A hot start has already been cooled off by losing three of their last four and going into the break cold will definitely raise questions.

Bottom Line

There’s no excuse for the Habs not to be ready tonight. They will need to be fast right from the start and put up a fight for the whole game letting the Leafs and the league know that they are for real.
 Video Highlights

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