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Canucks – Canadiens: Habs Preaching Discipline | GAME PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview

A Look Back

The Habs played with fire and got burnt. It was another game where the Habs took several undisciplined penalties. This time the penalty-kill failed them. Montreal found a way to comeback multiple times but ultimately failed in the shootout earning a single point. Tyler Toffoli had a great night against his former team but unfortunately it came in a losing effort.

Last game: MTL 5  VAN 6  F/SO

For a complete game recap: Canucks – Canadiens: Toffoli Hat Trick Not Enough

Players to Watch

  • Tyler Toffoli
    After scoring a hat-trick against his former team, what does Toffoli have in store for an encore?
  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki seems to take over every time he is on the ice making the right play time. He will have to be ready as the season goes on as teams start to pressure him.
  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson was physical in Wednesday’s game but he will be looking for a much better effort tonight.

Keys to Victory

  • Use speed
    The Habs are a deeper team this season. On the second night of a back to back, the Habs have a good chance to take full advantage if they use their speed.
  • Maintain control
    The Habs were lucky to get a point last night and were behind all game. That can’t happen again. Controlling the play is key for the Habs allowing them to roll all four lines.
  • Be disciplined
    Let’s say this again: stay out of the box! The Habs took a number of undisciplined penalties and it cost them. 
Statistical Matchup
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC | January 21, 9:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, SNP, RDS, NBCSN

2020-21 statistics
CANUCKS CANADIENS
4 (21st) Points (rank) 6 (3rd)
2-3-0 Record 2-0-2
2-3-0 Home/Away 2-0-2
2-3-0 Last 10 2-0-2
2.80 GF/G 4.25
4.20 GA/G 3.00
14.3 (20th) PP% (rank) 45.5 (2nd)
63.6 (27th) PK% (rank) 75.0 (20th)
50.11  CF% 51.30
Pre-game Quotes
 Claude Julien
  • “I want us to be a physical team. We’re bigger this year. We wanted to be a more physical group so we could compete against bigger teams. It’s more a question of discipline. If I’m not mistaken, we’ve taken four delay of game penalties for putting the puck into the stands. Those are the types of penalties we can avoid. It’s a part of the game. I think we can control our emotions a little bit better and that will help us be more disciplined.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Miller – Pettersson – Boeser
Pearson – Horvat – Hoglander
Roussel- Gaudette – Virtanen
Motte – Beagle – Sutter		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Armia – Kotkaniemi – Toffoli
Lehkonen – Evans – Byron
Defensemen
Hughes – Hamonic
Schmidt – Myers
Benn – Chatfield		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Juolevi, MacEwen, Eriksson
Injured: Ferland, Hawryluk, Edler
 Scratched: Mete
Injured: none
Goalies
Thatcher Demko Jake Allen
Record: 0-2-0
GAA: – 4.65
Sv%: – .883
SO: 0
Alternate: Braden Holtby		 Record: 1-0-0
GAA: – 1.01
Sv%: – .962
SO: 0
Alternate: Carey Price
 Game Expectations
The Habs are currently tied for first in the division. A strong start will help put the team in a good position to make the playoffs. Montreal should be the better 5-on-5 team if they play their game. I expect a tight leash from coach Claude Julien if any player takes a bad penalty tonight. The Canucks will again be looking to capitalize on Montreal’s undisciplined play.

Bottom Line

Look for Jesperi Kotkaniemi to have a strong game tonight. He unnecessarily took the  blame for Wednesday night’s loss after taking an unsportsmanlike penalty.
 Video Highlights

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