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Canucks @ Canadiens: Looking to Win in Regulation | HABS PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY PREVIEW | 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 power-play excelled but they were outplayed at 5-on-5 by Vancouver. While a late game tying goal gave the Habs some hope, they lost the game once again in overtime. Thanks to uncalled interference by Jonathan Drouin, Josh Anderson had the game on his stick but it wasn’t meant to be.

Last game: MTL 2  VAN  3  F/OT

For a complete game recap: Canucks @ Canadiens: OT Woes Continue

Players to Watch

  • Carey Price 
    Price has been outstanding in the month of March. Mr. Saturday night will have to be strong once again as the Habs are only a point ahead of the Canucks.
  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson was inches away from being the overtime hero and was visibly frustrated after last night’s finish. Expect a revenge game from Anderson tonight.
  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki got the Habs a point but he and Tomas Tatar accepted blame for not stopping J.T. Miller on the overtime winner.

Keys to Victory

  • Play a complete game
    The Habs haven’t played a complete game in a very long time. They need to start well and have a consistent effort throughout to keep the Canucks in the rear view mirror.
  • Take advantage of the backup
    Braden Holtby has struggled at times this season. The Habs need to get to him early to be sure that he doesn’t get confident.
  • Win special teams
    The Habs dominated the special teams game and need to do everything they can to put themselves on the power play. 
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 20, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN1, CITY, TVAS

2020-21 statistics
CANUCKS CANADIENS
34 (16th) Points (rank) 35 (14th)
16-16-2 Record 13-8-9
7-9-0 Away/Home 5-5-2
8-2-0 Last 10 4-2-4
2.71 GF/G 3.17
3.12 GA/G 2.67
19.6 (17th) PP% (rank) 22.9 (14th)
80.2 (13th) PK% (rank) 77.1 (19th)
42.46  CF% 53.58
Pre-game Quotes
Vancouver forward J.T. Miller
  • “We’re playing the right way and if we believe in our game, have faith in our system and we play the right way most nights, we’re going to get the results.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Hoglander – Horvat – Boeser
Vesey – Miller – Virtanen
Motte – Sutter – Hawryluk
Roussel – Gaudette – MacEwen		 Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Byron – Evans – Perry
Defensemen
Edler – Schmidt
Hughes – Hamonic
Benn – Myers		 Edmundson – Weber
Kulak – Petry
Romanov – Mete
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Chatfield
Injured: Ferland, Bailey, Pettersson, Pearson, Beagle
 Scratched: Ouellet
Injured: Chiarot (hand), Toffoli (lower-body)
Goalies
Braden Holtby Carey Price
Record: 4-6-1
GAA: – 3.56
Sv%: – .893
SO: 0
Alternate: Thatcher Demko		 Record: 9-5-5
GAA: – 2.66
Sv%: – .907
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
 The ninth and final game between the Habs and Canucks goes tonight. The Habs have won five of eight contest so far this season. Tonight’s game could be a big factor in the standings.

Bottom Line

Following a tough loss on Friday night, the Habs need to do everything they can to ensure more points aren’t lost to team’s below them in the standings.
 Video Highlights

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