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Canadiens @ Senators: Limiting Mistakes | HABS PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview

A Look Back

The mistakes keep piling up and the Habs keep missing out on much needed points. The Habs were outshot by the Senators, it’s as simple as that. The Sens wanted it more and weren’t going to let the Habs out work them. Jake Allen didn’t face many difficult shots for the first three periods but he was outstanding in overtime.

Last game: MTL 2  OTT 3  F/OT

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Senators: Looking For Answers

Players to Watch

  • Phillip Danault
    With Danault being the only Habs forward without a goal this season, he needs to find the back of the net. If Danault claims to be a top line centre, he needs to prove it.
  • Shea Weber
    The Habs need someone to stand up. Any long losing streak in the shortened season could cost them. Weber wears the ‘C’ for a reason and he needs to lead the team to  get back on track.
  • Tomas Tatar
    After leading the Habs in points last season Tatar has only nine points in 16 games this season. He hasn’t responded to being demoted or benched. Moving Tatar isn’t ideal but if it wakes up the team it should be considered.

Keys to Victory

  • Limit mistakes
    It was another game where too many mistakes cost the Habs. If the Habs aren’t any sharper tonight, we will see more of the same.
  • Bring the effort
    The Habs made a living being a hard working team the last few seasons. They need to get back to that.
  • Prevent odd man rushes
    The Habs gave up several odd man rushes last game. In my opinion, they were the main reason the Habs lost. The Habs should be catching the Sens out of position not the other way around.
Statistical Matchup
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON | February 23, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, TSN5, RDS

2020-21 statistics
SENATORS CANADIENS
11 (31st) Points (rank) 21 (11th)
5-14-1 Record 9-5-3
2-5-1 Home/Away 6-0-3
4-6-0 Last 10 4-5-1
2.35 GF/G 3.35
4.00 GA/G 2.71
11.0 (28th) PP% (rank) 19.2 (18th)
74.2 (25th) PK% (rank) 77.9 (19th)
50.72  CF% 55.14
Pre-game Quotes
Claude Julien
  • “We have to get back on track. We’re often making decisions that end up costing us. We’re trying to improve by watching video and practicing. We have to get better. I think it’s clear to everybody that we aren’t on point right now. We have to get our rhythm and our confidence back. They’re both very important. We have to work hard to find ways to win again. We have to have fun doing our work.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Norris – Brown
Paul – White – Dadonov
Stutzle – Stepan – Batherson
Haley – Tierney – Watson		 Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Toffoli – Danault – Gallagher
Tatar – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Byron – Evans – Perry
Defensemen
Chabot – Zaitsev
Reilly – Zub
Brannstrom – Gudbranson		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Brown, Wolanin, Coburn
Injured: Hogberg
 Scratched: Mete, Lehkonen
Injured: none
Goalies
Matt Murray Carey Price
Record: 3-9-1
GAA: – 3.66
Sv%: – .883
SO: 0
Alternate: Matt Murray		 Record: 5-3-2
GAA: – 2.88
Sv%: – .893
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
One win in the last five games is inexcusable and the Habs can’t afford to keep that trend going. This game should be a wake up for the Habs and tempers will likely boil over. The Sens won’t be pushed around but the Habs can’t be out worked by them two games in a row.

Bottom Line

Carey Price needs to shut the door to let the Habs play with a lead again.
 Video Highlights

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