Game Day: Blues vs Canadiens – Preview, Lines, Goalies, TV, Fantasy
Jordan Lambe
Pre-game Notes and Quotes
The best of the best take the ice versus each other tonight, as both these teams currently sit atop of the NHL standings. The Canadiens are are undefeated and 12 points, while the Blues only have a single loss and have 10 points.
The Canadiens have only been down a goal for 2:57 in their first six games.
While the Canadiens have started the season 6-0-0, the Blues also currently have a winning streak of their own, with theirs spanning the past four games.
Brendan Gallagher: “I just think we’re doing a better job of winning neutral-zone battles, coming up with support, understanding where the puck’s going to be going. We’ve had the same lines since training camp [started], so we’ve been able to build that chemistry and understand where guys are going to like support and when to stay away.
Carey Price was named the first star of the week by NHL.com, while Vladimir Tarasenko was named the 3rd star of the week.
Carey Price: “It’s just having the right mindset on keeping your focus towards what’s ahead and not what’s behind you, it’s the approach I’ve always taken and I think the guys in here are taking the same approach.”
Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC. | October 20, 7:30 pm ET | TV: FS-MW, RDS2, CITYM
2015-16 statistics
BLUES
CANADIENS
10 (2nd)
Points (League rank)
12 (1st)
5-1-0
Record
6-0-0
1-0-0
Home
2-0-0
4-1-0
Road
4-0-0
n/a
Last 10
n/a
3.50
G/G
3.33
2.33
GA/G
1.17
19.0
PP%
15.4
81.5
PK%
90.5
59.5
CF%*
58.2
63.1
CF60*
63.0
43.0
CA60*
45.3
*Advanced statistics: Score adjusted, even strength. CF%: Corsi for percentage of total CF60: Corsi For/60 minutes CA60: Corsi Against/60 minutes (via War on Ice)
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
2015-’16 regular season: Record: 1-1-0 GAA: 3.03 Sv%: .887 SO: 0 Alternate: Brian Elliott
2015-’16 regular season: Record: 5-0-0 GAA: 1.20 Sv%: .957 SO: 1 Alternate: Mike Condon
Fantasy Outlook
With Paul Stastny guaranteed to be out at least the next two games according to head coach Ken Hitchcock, look for both Jori Lehtera and David Backes to get bumped up a line from their normal positions. This of course benefits Lehtera most, as he should get an increase in ice time from his average of 15:16 so far this season; Not to mention he will also get to play with Vladimir Tarasenko, who is the league leader in points and goals.
Top scorers for the Canadiens on home ice last season were:
Max Pacioretty (45 points in 40 games)
P. K. Subban (33 points in 41 games)
David Desharnais and TomasPlekanec (both with 31 points in 41 games)
Top scorers for the Blues on the road last season were:
Alex Steen (34 points in 38 games)
Vladimir Tarasenko (33 points in 39 games)
Jaden Schwartz and David Backes* (both with 29 points in 36 and 41 games respectfully)
*-T. J. Oshie actually placed 3rd, but he no longer plays for the Blues so he was omitted from the list.
Talk about unlucky! Brendan Gallagher has fired 20 shots on goal in the Canadiens’ first 6 games and only scored his first goal last game versus the Red Wings. Although possible, it is very unlikely that his shooting percentage remains around 5% over the season, which makes Gallagher a very nice buy-low candidate. Not only should he start scoring more, Gallagher is in the perfect position in the lineup to produce, with the first line RW spot locked up. Go out and try to trade for this guy ASAP (as he is probably already drafted in most leagues).
