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

Price stole this game for the Canadiens. They were badly outshot 45-22, including 19 in the second period alone. The Habs did not play well at all, but took advantage of the few chances they had and beat Mike Smith on a weak shot for the game winner. For Calgary,  it was a heart breaker but for the Habs it was everything. Montreal has yet to play a game where both the skaters and the goalie play at their best.

For a complete game recap: Price Carries Habs to Win

Players to watch

• Artturi Lehkonen
  Lehkonen got the monkey off his back by scoring his second goal of the season. There is no player on the Canadiens who contributes more without necessarily getting his name on the scoresheet. That said, Lehkonen has one of the best shots on the team and it’s good to see him getting rewarded for his efforts. 
• Carey Price
  Price did what he needed to do in Calgary. He was the Habs best player and showed that he is the best goalie in the league. If he can get some help from his team and string together a number of wins, his critics will disappear again.   
• Jonathan Drouin
  Drouin is on pace to beat his personal bests this season for goals and assists. That’s the good news, but his effort level is severely lacking particularly when he does not have the puck. Drouin’s work ethic needs to ramp up as does his commitment to the defensive side of the game. The Canadiens have moved him to the wing to put him in the best situation to succeed and it has helped. Still, Drouin has another level in him offensively. We’ve seen flashes of it but not consistently. And he must show an interest in being a responsible defensive player. 

Keys to Victory

• Play a balanced game
  The Habs need to find balance in their game, they’ve out shot teams badly but have been on the receiving end as well.
• Change-up the power-play
  The Habs Power-Play needs to be changed up, the advanced stats support what they’re doing but it’s not enough. The Habs need goals and are a team that depend on winning the special teams to win games.
• Take possession
  After being outshot badly once again the Habs need to own the puck, possession is everything in todays NHL and the Habs have thrived when they have it and look lost without it.