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Canadiens @ Senators: Looking to Rebound | 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

After a week off, the Habs looked rusty and the mental mistakes cost them the game. The Leafs took advantage of a 5-on-3 power-play at the start of the second. Montreal may have answered back but they continued to hurt themselves and an offensive team like the Leafs made them pay.

Last game: MTL 3  TOR 5  F

For a complete game recap: Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Costly Mistakes

Players to Watch

  • Jonathan Drouin
    Drouin was, by far, the worst player on the ice versus the Leafs. If the Habs want to become a top team, Drouin has to show far more effort at both ends of the ice. On offence, Drouin’s lack of finish hurts his playmaking ability. If Drouin becomes a double threat he can bring his game to a level deserving of a top-6 spot.
  • Shea Weber
    Weber, along with Chiarot, stifled the Leafs offence on Saturday night, Weber finished the night with a 23.91 CF% at 5-on-5 play. But Weber will want to answer back after a tough game for his team last night. Expect a big response from the Habs captain. .
  • Tyler Toffoli
    Toffoli has been the most consistent player for the Habs this season and deserves a lot of credit. His signing is one of the biggest reasons the Habs have done so well.

Keys to Victory

  • Limit mistakes
    The Habs made way too many mistakes for an NHL team and the Leafs made them pay. The Habs know they have no chance in winning when they make that many mistakes and will look to limit their mistakes tonight.
  • Finish chances
    While the Habs were down a majority of the game they still had their chances but failed to finish. The Habs really failed to finish and they will need make up for that tonight. .
  • Win special teams
    The Habs failure on the special teams a 5-on-3 is almost a sure thing in the NHL and the Habs learned that the hard way, but it was the two other power-play goals the allowed the Leafs to beat them. The Habs know how important special teams are and they need to start winning them more often than not to win.
Statistical Matchup
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON | February 21, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS

2020-21 statistics
SENATORS CANADIENS
9 (31st) Points (rank) 20 (11th)
4-14-1 Record 9-5-2
1-5-1 Home/Away 6-0-2
3-7-0 Last 10 5-5-0
2.32 GF/G 3.44
4.11 GA/G 2.69
11.6 (28th) PP% (rank) 20.4 (16th)
73.0 (27th) PK% (rank) 76.6 (23rd)
51.31  CF% 54.77
Scouting the odds
 While the Canadiens come into the game with a 5-5-0 record in their last 10 games, the Senators have won just three matches in the same period, having lost two in a row. Odds will be live prior to the game at Sports Betting Dime.
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Norris – Brown
Paul – White – Dadonov
Stutzle – Stepan – Batherson
Peca – 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
Mete – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Brown, Anisimov, Wolanin
Injured: Hogberg
 Scratched: Kulak, Lehkonen
Injured: none
Goalies
Matt Murray Jake Allen
Record: 2-9-1
GAA: – 3.82
Sv%: – .878
SO: 0
Alternate: Joey Daccord		 Record: 4-2-0
GAA: – 2.01
Sv%: – .933
SO: 0
Alternate: Carey Price
 Game Expectations
The Habs need to answer back for last night’s flat performance. The Senators are just the team to play, while the Habs have struggled against the Sens they need to have a statement game tonight.

Bottom Line

If the Habs are legit contenders this season this has to be a game where they show who they really are. If not changes some big changes should be made to wake the Habs up.
 Video Highlights

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