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

For the second time this season the Canadiens and Capitals had a high scoring game. The Habs were on the losing end this time but did manage to get a point thanks to an amazing performance by Carey Price. Montreal was down by one after the first period but came out flying in the second scoring three goals in less than ninety seconds. The Caps showed why they’re the defending champs by not giving up and got one back before the period was over. An early power-play in the third allowed Washington to tie the game. The Habs only had seven shots in third while the Caps had double that number, including the last shot of regulation. Jordie Benn had his pocket picked by Tom Wilson who found Alex Ovechkin in the dying seconds. He got all of it but Price dove across and made an spectacular blocker save that even Ovechkin had to applaud. Unfortunately, the Habs couldn’t get the win for Price who kept them in it. Lars Eller scored the OT-winner for Washington. With a two goal lead it felt like the Habs let this one slip away but the Caps won the Cup for a reason and deserve credit.

For a complete game recap: Tatar Says “Carey Got Us a Point Tonight”

Players to watch

• Phillip Danault
  Danault has been a good soldier for Montreal. He played the most minutes of any Habs forward last game. As is becoming clear, beyond the faceoff circle, Danault has no hands with just one goal on the season. For a player who gets first line minutes and power-play time, Danault has been a disappointment. It is often said, hopefully, that Danault can inherit the shut down role, passed down from Tomas Plekanec, but Phillip has not shown that he can be an effective defensive forward. It is long overdue that his role should change.
• Nicolas Deslaurier
  Deslaurier played just 5:36 against the Capitals. Deslauriers has to give his coach a reason to get him involved. Claude Julien likes big bodies in his lineup but his insistence on using Nicolas has hurt the Habs. Deslauriers’ lack of speed and smarts should have him playing in the AHL. 
• Jordie Benn
  Benn has been playing higher in the lineup that he should. As a result, he looks very over matched. Marc Bergevin did nothing to shore up his defence in the summer and now is stuck with too many marginal defencemen. It’s important that a solution is found sooner than later. 

Keys to Victory

• Limit mental mistakes
  The Canadiens have have a terrible defensive game this season mostly resulting from a lack of effort and mental mistakes. They have to eliminate these mistakes and remained focus throughout each shift.
• Move on the power-play
  The Habs need to start being more mobile on the power-play. Currently, they have set positions with little rotation. It makes it really easy for teams to read and stop. Rotation will open up passing and shooting lanes and should make a big difference to the power-play.
• Make the quick outlet
  At the beginning of the season the Habs were getting the puck up the ice quickly limiting the opposition forecheck. Lately they have been reversing the puck or going D to D allowing teams to set up their forecheck resulting in more turnovers.