GAME DAY | Blues – Canadiens: Preview, Prediction, Lines, Goalies, TV

Sam Gerber

7 years ago

Game Preview by Sam Gerber, Staff Writer

Last game: MTL 10 DET 1

Saturday night was a huge game for the Habs with so many parts of their game going right. It was a dominant performance for the ages with Paul Byron picking up a hat-trick and significant contributions from the Canadiens youth.

For a complete recap: Red Wings – Canadiens: Habs Youth Spotlighted in Rout

Players to watch

Brayden Schenn
A change of scenery has done wonders for Schenn. He has turned into an all-around player who brings physicality when needed.
Vladimir Tarasenko
Tarasenko has one of the most dangerous shots in the league putting up over 70 points in each of the last three seasons.
Shea Weber
Sitting at 499 points in the NHL, it could be a milestone night for Weber.

Keys to Victory

Ride the momentum
The Habs can’t take their foot off the gas after their blowout win Saturday.
Use your speed
The Blues can bring the physicality each shift, the Canadiens need to counter it with their speed.

Finish scoring opportunities
The Habs showed the they are capable of finishing Saturday night and will need to continue to have a fighting chance against the Blues.

Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| December 5, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-MW
	2017-18 statistics
BLUES	2017-18 statistics	CANADIENS
36 (5th)	Points (rank)	29 (20th)
17-8-2	Record	13-12-3
8-3-2	Away/Home	8-5-2
4-5-1	Last 10	5-3-2
3.19	GF/G	2.75
2.67	GA/G	3.04
17.5	PP%	17.7
77.9	PK%	77.2
52.95	CF%	51.66


Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Sobotka – Stastny – Tarasenko Schwartz – Schenn – Steen Paajarvi – Berglund – Blais Upshall – Brodziak – Jaskin	Byron – De La Rose – Galchenyuk Pacioretty – Danault – Shaw Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher Deslauriers – Froese – Carr
Defensemen
Bouwmeester – Pietrangelo Edmundson – Parayko Gunnarsson – Bortuzzo	Benn – Weber Alzner – Petry Mete – Schlemko
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Dunn, Sundqvist, Thorburn Injured: Sanford	Scratched: Jerabek, Morrow Injured: Hemsky, Scherbak, Montoya, Lehkonen, Drouin
Goalies
Jake Allen	Carey Price

Record: 13-6-2 GAA: 2.73 Sv%: .907 SO: 0 Alternate: Carter Hutton	Record: 8-7-1 GAA: 2.94 Sv%: .905 SO: 1 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect

St. Louis will bring the physicality in waves. If the defense can hold their own in the opening frame, the Canadiens will have a chance at keeping the win streak alive.

Prediction: Canadiens 2 Blues 1

A strong start is essential.

Highlights from the NHL

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Tickets


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2017-18 statistics