GAME DAY | Canadiens – Panthers: Preview, Lines, Goalies, TV, Fantasy
Jordan Lambe
Pre-game Notes and Quotes
Newly acquired Ben Scrivens on his trade to the Canadiens: “It’s a huge opportunity [to work with Stephane Waite]. He’s a guy who knows how to win, a guy who knows how to prepare his goalies for long hauls and how to play well each and every night. It’s a huge opportunity for me and I’m going to make the most of it.”
The Canadiens managed to break their six game losing streak with a shootout win against Tampa Bay Monday night, they still only have only a two wins in their past 12 games. The Panthers have surprised many of late, as they have won six in a row and four of their past five home games (albeit 2 of those wins were in shootouts).
Tomas Plekanec broke a 21 game goalless drought Monday night versus the Lightning, with his last goal coming on Nov. 7 while playing the Boston Bruins.
While the Canadiens have a 17-5-3 record versus teams in the Eastern Conference this season, the Panthers boast a 14-6-3 record.
The Canadiens have dropped down in the goals against category, they are currently 15th in the league in goals against, with 92 in 37 games. The Lightning defensive game has been very good, as they have allowed only 84 goals against in their first 36 games and are 5th in the league.
The Canadiens have surprisingly maintained their standing in the goals for category as they are currently in fifth place in the NHL, with 106 over their first 37 games. The Lightning have been much closer to average than many pundits predicted, as they currently sit in a tie for 16th place with 92 goals.
Matchup
BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL. | December 29, 7:30 PM ET | TV: RDS, SNE, FS-F
2015-16 statistics
PANTHERS
CANADIENS
44 (3rd)
Points (Eastern Con. rank)
45 (2nd)
20-12-4
Record
21-14-3
10-6-2
Home
11-6-2
10-6-2
Road
10-8-1
7-3-0
Last 10
2-8-0
2.72
G/G
2.89
2.31
GA/G
2.50
18.1
PP%
19.2
78.0
PK%
85.1
48.3
CF%*
53.6
46.8
CF60*
56.6
50.2
CA60*
49.1
*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: 15-11-3 GAA: 2.20 Sv%: .924 SO: 2 Alternate: Al Montoya
2015-’16 regular season (AHL): Record: 2-6-1 GAA: 3.47 Sv%: .893 SO: 1 Alternate: Mike Condon
Fantasy Outlook
Aleksander Barkov has been leading the Panthers’ top line, when healthy, all season. A big reason he hasn’t made the list below, for top scorers at home, is the fact that he’s played only 13 games at home this season, yet has still potted 12 points. The former second overall pick is certainly developing into the player Florida expected when drafting him, as he already has 20 points in 26 games. Not to mention the fact that he also has 74 shots on goal and a respectable 21 hits and 19 blocked shots. With six points (four goals and two assists) in eight career games versus Montreal and seven points in his last six games, Barkov should only be sat in the shallowest of leagues.
Top scorers for the Panthers at home this season are:
Jaromir Jagr (with 18 points in 16 games).
Vincent Trocheck (with 14 points in 18 games)
Jonathan Huberdeau (with 13 points in 18 games)
Top scorers for the Canadiens on the road this season are:
Andrei Markov (with 15 points in 19 games)
Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty,Alex Galchenyuk and P. K. Subban (all with 14 points in 19 games)
Player stats from War-on-Ice, NHL.com and Yahoo Sports.
