Game 82 | PREVIEW: BOS @ MTL

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Sam Gerber
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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

The Habs played a competitive game against the Islanders who needed a single point to secure their ticket to the playoffs. The Habs had plenty of high danger scoring chances early but the Islanders cleaned up their defensive game limiting the Habs in the later half. Nick Suzuki scored a highlight reel shorthanded goal. The win for the Islanders means that the Pittsburgh Penguins will miss the playoffs for only the third time in Sidney Crosby’s career.

Last game: MTL 2  NYI 4  F

For a complete game recap: Winding Down | RECAP: MTL @ NYI

Players to Watch

  • Nick Suzuki
    It was a tough season to be captain but the young center more than held his own and will be an even better leader because of it. His highlight reel goal against the Isles  was a great display of effort and skill.
  • Mike Matheson
    Matheson had a coming out party the second half of the season giving the Habs a  defenseman who is capable of providing offense. His ability to rush the puck gives hope for the future.
  • Joel Edmundson
    While he is still under contract the Habs will have a number of offseason changes and likely move Edmundson to a contending team as the Habs continue their rebuild. If he is dealt he will be missed in the locker room but will have impacted a lot of the Habs core which will go a long way.

Keys to Victory

  • Have fun
    It’s the final game of the year for the Habs and it’s very bittersweet. The Habs didn’t have a lot to cheer for this season which is why it’s important to end the season on a positive note.
  • Take notes
    The Bruins are the top dog in the league and the Habs can learn a lot from this team if they learn from their mistakes and see what the difference is not just in personnel but in playing styles.
  • Score a few
    The Bruins are the top dog because of their defense and one of the best goal differentials in the league. The Habs are going to be in tough but they don’t stand a chance in winning if they don’t score a few.
Statistical Matchup for Game 82
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | April 13, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, NESN

2022-23  statistics
BRUINS CANADIENS
133 (1st) Points (rank) 68 (28th)
64-12-5 Record 31-44-6
W7 Streak L2
9-1-0 Last 10 3-7-0
3.65 (2nd) GF/G (rank) 2.75 (26th)
2.10 (1st) GA/G (rank) 3.70 (29th)
22.7 (11th) PP% (rank) 16.3 (28th)
87.1 (1st) PK% (rank) 72.1 (29th)
54.5  Faceoff % 48.5
Pre-game 
Sam Montembeault on Nick Suzuki

  • “He doesn’t wear the ‘C’ for nothing, he’s an example for all of us. Every day, whether in practice or in a game, he is the best player on the ice. It’s fun to see that he’s been able to continue to be so consistent.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Marchand – Bergeron – DeBrusk
Bertuzzi – Zacha – Pastrnak
Hall – Coyle – Foligno
Greer – Frederic – Hathaway		 Drouin – Suzuki – Armia
Gurianov – Tierney – Farrell
Pitlick – Evans – Gallagher
Pezzetta – Condotta – Teasdale
Defensemen
Orlov – McAvoy
Lindholm – Carlo
Grzelcyk – Clifton		 Matheson – Barron
Edmundson – Wideman
Allard – Kovacevic
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Lauko, Zboril
Injured: Forbort, Krejci, Nosek		 Scratched: none
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Caufield (shoulder), Xhekaj (upper-body), Dvorak (lower-body), Guhle (lower-body), Anderson (lower-body), Dach (upper-body), Savard (lower-body), Belzile (lower-body), Harris (lower-body), Hoffman (undisclosed)
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman Sam Montembeault
Record: 23-6-4
GAA: 2.21
Sv%: .922
SO: 4
Alternate: Brandon Bussi		 Record: 16-18-3
GAA: 3.38
Sv%: .903
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
All good things come to an end, and while there weren’t many good things for the Habs this season the best is yet to come. The injury bug got the Habs, as for a second straight year the Habs lead the league in man games missed and often played with several players playing above their experience level. The Habs did manage to be a much more competitive team this season not getting blown out as much and staying in games late. There were games that got away from them and the effort level wasn’t there as the offence wasn’t there to be found some nights. But as for tonight the Habs have nothing to worry about and can just go out and play hockey and come back even more prepared next season.

Bottom Line

While everyone would love to see the Habs finish the season with a win just for some sentimental feeling, a win tonight and a Coyotes loss drops the Habs lottery percentage to 7.5. While it’s already a long shot to win the draft lottery the Habs need all the help they can get and a dream scenario would be both the Habs and Coyotes win tonight.
 Video Highlights

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