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Evans Will Play | PREVIEW: MTL @ CAR

Cole Jurzyniec

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It wasn’t all sunshine for the Habs in Florida as the Panthers pounced on the Canadiens and secured a win. Chris Wideman opened the scoring just 2:32 into the game before handing the momentum back to Florida. The Canadiens made a resurgence late in the second period scoring three goals in 1:42. But the Panthers controlled the third period taking care of business at home.

Last game: MTL 4  FLA 7  F

For a complete game recap: ‘A Few Positives’ | RECAP: MTL @ FLA

Players to Watch

  • Jesse Ylonen
    Ylönen made a great pass to Chris Wideman for an assist against Florida. He now has two helpers in two games since his recall. His last callup in January also ended with an assist. In his return to the line-up, the 22-year-old winger has used his skating and playmaking to make an impact albeit in limited ice-time. Ylonen has earned additional opportunities.
  • Christian Dvorak
    After missing 19 games due to an upper-body injury, the Dvorak had a slow return, going pointless in three. Since then, he has not missed a beat. The 26-year-old has four points in his last four games and boasts a plus-3 rating. He has also been strong at the faceoff dot this season with a 56.4 percent win rate.
  • Rem Pitlick
    The waiver wire pick-up continues to tally up the points. With another assist against the Panthers, the agile forward has 20 points on the season with the Canadiens through 31 games. If Pitlick could be as effective in his play without the puck, he would be a more reliable player.

Keys to Victory

  • Limit turnovers
    Five of the seven Panther goals scored were due to turnovers in the defensive zone.  Carolina is top-ten in the league in scoring so giving the puck away could be a major downfall for the Canadiens.  They should focus on clearing the puck without hesitation and avoid costly mistakes.
  • Apply pressure
    In the past five games, the Canadiens have been heavily out-shot 217-132 for a stunning shot differential of 83. The team needs to find a way to remain in the offensive zone and apply continued pressure on the Hurricanes who are an offensive powerhouse and will pounce on Habs’ errors.
  • Capitalize on opportunities
    The Canes lead the league in goals against led by Frederik Andersen. With the Canadiens success in finding mesh lately, jumping on every opportunity possible could be a route to success.
Statistical Matchup for Game 68
PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC | March 31, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSSO

2021-22  statistics
HURRICANES CANADIENS
96 (3rd) Points (rank) 47 (31st)
44-15-8 Record 18-38-11
OT1 Streak L1
4-3-3 Last 10 3-4-4
3.34 (8th) GF/G (rank) 2.55 (31st)
2.37 (1st) GA/G (rank) 3.76 (31st)
24.2 (6th) PP% (rank) 13.7 (31st)
88.3 (1st) PK%  (rank) 74.9 (28th)
53.3  Faceoff % 48.5
Pre-game Quotes
Jordan Harris
  • “Everything happened very quickly. It’s a bit dazzling. I try to meet everyone and enjoy the moment. Everyone is very nice to me. I’m glad to be here.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Teravainen – Aho – Jarvis
Svechnikov – Trocheck – Necas
Niederreiter – Staal – Fast
Domi – Stepan – Lorentz		 Caufield – Suzuki – Hoffman
R. Pitlick – Dvorak – Anderson
Byron – Dauphin – Armia
T. Pitlick – Evans – Ylonen
Defensemen
Slavin – DeAngelo
Skjei – Pesce
Smith – Cole		 Romanov – Savard
Edmundson – Barron
Schueneman – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Gardiner, Martinook, Kotkaniemi, Bear		 Scratched: Lagesson, Perreault
Injured: Pezzetta (upper-body), T. Pitlick (upper-body), Petry (lower-body), Drouin (upper-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Poehling (upper-body), Clague (upper-body), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Frederik Andersen Jake Allen
Record: 32-10-3
GAA: 2.05
Sv%: .927
SO: 3
Alternate: Antti Raanta		 Record: 7-18-4
GAA: 3.19
Sv%: .906
SO: 2
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The last time these two teams met, the Hurricanes were able to shut-out the Canadiens. Max Domi, acquired by Carolina at the deadline, could be wanting to make a splash against his old club.

Bottom Line

The Canadiens are approaching the finish line with 15 games remaining on the season.  An honest effort and exciting hockey is what to be expected to conclude the regular season.
 Video Highlights

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