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Dvorak Back in AZ | PREVIEW: MTL @ ARI

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

An almost goal of the year on one end of the ice by Nick Suzuki wasn’t meant to be as the puck went the other way leading to a controversial game winning goal by the Blackhawks. It was strange chain events that had the game winning goal reviewed not only once but twice. It will be interesting to see at the draft lottery if one point makes any difference at all but Habs fans will surely remember this one.

Last game: MTL 2  CHI 3  F/OT

For a complete game recap: Crashing the Net | RECAP: MTL @ CHI

Players to Watch

  • Christian Dvorak
    It’s been a hard season for Dvorak, who was expected to come to Montreal and transition nicely. Instead it has been plagued with injuries, inconsistencies and the virus. That said, playing his former team should give him some extra motivation.
  • Rem Pitlick
    It’s embarrassing that a player claimed on waivers can be tied for the goal scoring lead for the Habs. This is a great opportunity for Pitlick. The Habs drafted Rhett Pitlick, Rem’s younger brother in 2019. Rem gives the Habs depth in multiple positions that is much needed and gives Rem a chance to remain at the NHL level.
  • Alexander Romanov
    Romanov showed exactly the type of player he wants to be last game, a physical presence who can knock anyone off the puck but also a skilled skating player when given the chance. There is still a lot of hockey to be played this season for the Habs and Romanov may be the most exciting player to watch.

Keys to Victory

  • Get physical
    The Habs haven’t played a lot of hockey lately but are starting to assemble an NHL lineup again. A key for the Habs is to be physical. When they are pushing and separating players off pucks they are a much more energized team that want to win.
  • Goaltending wins
    No team has given up more goals this season than the Coyotes, and the Habs aren’t far behind. Whichever team has a strong defensive effort and has their goaltending up to the challenge should come away with two points.
  • Limit turnovers
    A big reason these teams are at the bottom is because of turnovers. Both teams struggle with turnovers and are often trying to do too much that leads to more. If the Habs can keep their game simple and mistake free while capitalizing on turnovers they should get their first win of the year.
Statistical Matchup for Game 37
Gila River Arena, Glendale, AR | January 17, 4:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, HULU

2021-22  statistics
COYOTES CANADIENS
20 (31st) Points (rank) 19 (32nd)
8-24-4 Record 7-24-5
L1 Streak OT1
3-4-3 Last 10 1-7-2
2.14 (31st) GF/G (rank) 2.08 (32nd)
3.72 (32nd) GA/G (rank) 3.64 (30th)
13.5 (31st) PP% (rank) 11.0 (32nd)
73.6 (28th) PK%  (rank) 72.9 (30th)
48.2  Faceoff % 47.4
Pre-game Quotes
Christian Dvorak
  • “I have a lot of memories. This team drafted me and took a chance on me. I had a great time here. It was a great five years. It’s good to be back and good to see some old friends. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the team and the organization.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Crouse – Larsson – Kessel
Ladd – Boyd – Keller
Roussel – Nash – Fischer
Galchenyuk – Dzingel – Schmaltz		 Hoffman – Suzuki – Anderson
Pitlick – Dvorak – Drouin
Lehkonen – Evans – Armia
Pezzetta – Poehling – Caufield
Defensemen
Gostisbehere – Mayo
Moser – Lyubushkin
Kolyachonok – Soderstrom		 Chiarot – Savard
Romanov – Petry
Kulak – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: O’Brien, Eriksson
Injured: Chychrun, Timmins, Hutton, Jaskin, Beagle, Hayton
COVID-19: Stralman, Wedgewood
Taxi squad:		 Scratched: Niku, Clague
Injured: Paquette (undisclosed), Allen (lower-body), Byron (hip), Gallagher (lower-body), Perreault (undisclosed), Edmundson (back), Toffoli (hand), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID-19:
Taxi squad: McNiven, Vejdemo, Dauphin, Schueneman
Goalies
Karel Vejmelka Cayden Primeau
Record: 4-14-1
GAA: 3.27
Sv%: .906
SO: 1
Alternate: Scott Wedgewood		 Record: 1-2-0
GAA: 3.65
Sv%: .904
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
It’s a Monday afternoon game between the two worst teams in the NHL that are separated by a single point. One point could make all of the difference in a few months when the number one overall pick is up for grabs. While that’s what the fans are thinking about, the players will be playing for pride. None of them have to be happy with how the season has gone and will be doing everything they can to get the win.

Bottom Line

With the trade deadline still months away and lots of time to showcase players yet this is an excellent game to play the younger guys. This is a game that Caufield should be able to do some damage and the Habs need to give him the greenlight.
 Video Highlights

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