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Familiar Foes | PREVIEW: BOS @ MTL

Cole Jurzyniec

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

There was a fitting pre-game tribute to Guy Lafleur with respect from a mixed crowd of Habs and Sens fans at the Canadian Tire Centre. Following the pleasantries, it was a feisty affair with leftover tensions from the April 5th match-up. The Canadiens were a disorganized mess with Cole Caufield’s 20th goal being the only bright spot.

Last game: MTL 4  OTT 6  F

For a complete game recap: Defensive Collapse | RECAP: MTL @ OTT

Players to Watch

  • Jake Evans
    Evans has perked up as the regular season is coming to a close. The Toronto native has four points in his last three games. With an almost even 49.9 percent win rate at the dot, the dependable centreman has been proving his worth to the team. The 25-year-old will look to stay healthy and close out the year on a good note.
  • Jeff Petry
    It appears that Petry feels more comfortable in his role again. He has four assists in the last four games. Turnovers have negatively affected his gameplay having eight in those last four, but overall has looked steady and calmer in the back end.  Management is expected to move Petry in the off-season so these last three games could be important for the 34 year old.
  • Rem Pitlick
    There’s no denying that Pitlick is a defensive liability at some points. He does however have flashes of offensive excellence.  The centerman has three points in his last two games. It’s questionable whether Pitlick will be an asset for the Canadiens moving forward, but for now, is a fun player to watch when he’s producing.

Keys to Victory

  • Be disciplined
    The Bruins – Habs rivalry always has the potential to be a physical affair. But replicating the 27 minutes of penalties taken against Ottawa will not be a recipe for success.
  • Move the puck smartly
    The Habs skaters have turned the puck over with regularity during the eight game losing streak. The must make better decisions and provide better targets.
  • Score first
    The Canadiens have not opened the scoring in six games. They should focus on finding momentum early and setting the tone.  Boston is second in the league averaging 36.2 shots a game. The struggling defence will have to find a way to hold back the offensive Bruins crew so the offense can create chances..
Statistical Matchup for Game 80
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | April 24, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, NESN, NHLN, ESPN+

2021-22  statistics
BRUINS CANADIENS
101 (10th) Points (rank) 51 (31st)
48-25-5 Record 20-48-11
W1 Streak L8
5-5-0 Last 10 1-9-0
3.04 (16th) GF/G (rank) 2.54 (31st)
2.67 (5th) GA/G (rank) 3.89 (32nd)
20.9 (17th) PP% (rank) 12.9 (31st)
82.0 (8th) PK%  (rank) 75.4 (25th)
54.2  Faceoff % 49.1
Pre-game Quotes
Joel Edmundson
  • “We’ll worry about Boston [on Sunday], but that’s also another fun rivalry there.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Marchand – Bergeron – DeBrusk
Hall – Haula – Pastrnak
Frederic – Coyle – Smith
Foligno – Nosek – Lazar		 Caufield – Suzuki – Hoffman
R. Pitlick – Dvorak – Gallagher
Perreault – Evans – Anderson
Pezzetta – Dauphin – T. Pitlick
Defensemen
Lindholm – McAvoy
Grzelcyk – Carlo
Forbort – Clifton		 Romanov – Savard
Edmundson – Petry
Harris – Lagesson
Out of the lineup
Scratched: McLaughlin, Reilly
Injured: Zboril, Froden		 Scratched: Wideman, Clague, Poehling
Injured: Byron (lower-body), Armia (family), Allen (lower-body), Barron (lower-body), Drouin (upper-body), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman Sam Montembeault
Record: 22-13-3
GAA: 2.35
Sv%: .916
SO: 3
Alternate: Linus Ullmark		 Record: 7-17-6
GAA: 3.78
Sv%: .891
SO: 1
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The Canadiens need to turn the tide defensively, Boston is stacked with offensive fire-power and with David Pastrnak looking for his 40th goal of the season, the Habs should tighten up and watch the Czechia winger closely.

Bottom Line

With the team coming home on an eight-game losing streak, this is a great chance to get a win and inject some positivity into the dressing room and the Bell Centre to fuel some momentum for the remaining two games.
 Video Highlights

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