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Flames @ Canadiens: Armia to Return | HABS PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview

A Look Back

The Habs finally got a good start, something that’s been missing for several games. But the Habs allowed the Leafs to come back in the second period. Josh Anderson was the hero who decided to shoot the puck. It was a refreshing change given we have seen a Habs player pass the puck far too often in a similar situation.

Last game: MTL 4  TOR 2  F

For a complete game recap: Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Habs Frustrate Leafs

Players to Watch

  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki has found a spot on the power-play and if the Habs can gain control from the start of the man advantage, he should get a lot more looks and make his mark.
  • Alexander Romanov
    With two new additions to the Habs blueline on their way, some have wondered if Romanov may get some games in the press box. He quieted those speculations last game with all around physical presence not backing down from anyone.
  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson had one of his best games of the season and could have had a few more goals if he had a bit more puck luck. He’s going to be a key player for the Habs down the stretch.

Keys to Victory

  • Finish chances
    The Habs were up by two goals but allowed the Leafs to come back. Montreal had a few chances to add to their lead. The Habs have to finish when they get a chance as allowing teams back in the game isn’t usually a recipe for success.
  • Maintain focus
    The two goals given up by the Habs were a lack of focus where a player was left alone. The Habs have to be tighter on defence and not be caught puck watching.
  • Use speed
    Speed was the biggest success for the Habs last game and they have to use that again against a Flames team on the second game of a back-to-back. 
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | April 14, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS

2020-21 statistics
FLAMES CANADIENS
39 (23rd) Points (rank) 45 (16th)
18-21-3 Record 18-12-9
8-12-2 Away/Home 9-8-2
3-7-0 Last 10 5-4-1
2.62 GF/G 3.10
2.98 GA/G 2.74
20.4 (16th) PP% (rank) 20.6 (15th)
80.6 (13th) PK% (rank) 76.7 (24th)
52.13  CF% 55.47
Pre-game Quotes
Erik Gustafsson
  • “I think the team in Montreal is very good; they have good all-round players on that team and I’m just happy to be a part of that team. It’s going to be fun to see how far we can go here.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Gaudreau – Lindholm – Tkachuk
Mangiapane – Monahan – Dube
Lucic – Backlund – Nordstrom
Leivo – Ryan – Ritchie		 Toffoli – Suzuki – Armia
Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Anderson
Tatar – Danault – Byron
Lehkonen – Staal – Perry
Defensemen
Giordano – Tanev
Hanifin – Andersson
Valimaki – Stone		 Kulak – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Romanov – Ouellet
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Robinson, Nesterov
Injured: Kylington
 Scratched: Frolik, Evans
Injured: Chiarot (hand), Gallagher (hand), Price (lower-body), Merrill (COVID protocol), Gustafsson (COVID protocol)
Goalies
Jacob Markstrom Jake Allen
Record: 14-14-2
GAA: 2.88
Sv%: .901
SO: 3
Alternate: Artyom Zagidulin		 Record: 6-6-4
GAA: 2.49
Sv%: .912
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The Habs and Flames will square off five times in the next eight games, which will likely decide the fourth and final playoff spot. While its the Habs spot to lose, the Flames have done well against the Habs so far this season.

Bottom Line

The Habs would be wise to use their speed and be relentless on the attack as the Flames played a tight checking game against the Leafs last game and will look to do the same tonight.
 Video Highlights

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