Game Day: Canadiens vs Senators – Preview, Lines, Goalies, TV, Fantasy
Jordan Lambe
Pre-game Notes and Quotes
Alex Galchenyuk on his linemates Lars Eller and Alex Semin: “The three of us have chemistry out there, but we can’t go into game and just rely on that, we’ve got to go. I think the difference for us was today we started competing a little bit more. We were winning those battles down low and we were moving our feet more.”
MichelTherrien on the new Eller-Galchenyuk-Semin line:“You always have a vision [when it comes to building a line]. We wanted to establish some level of equilibrium when it came to our forward lines, and that’s what they help to bring.”
Bobby Ryan: “I know the guys feel much more strongly about that rivalry (with Montreal) than Toronto, and it’s not because the team is better and the record is a little more similar; it’s just because when you have a playoff series with a team, it sticks with you whether you win or lose.”
This is the first of 16 sets back to back games that the Canadiens will play throughout this season.
Matchup
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON. | October 11, 7:00 PM ET | TV: NHLN-US, SN1, RDS
2014-15 statistics
SENATORS
CANADIENS
99 (7th)
Points (Eastern Conference Position)
110 (2nd)
43-26-13
Record
50-22-10
23-13-5
Home
26-9-6
20-13-8
Road
24-13-4
n/a
Last 10
n/a
2.90
G/G
2.61
2.62
GA/G
2.24
16.8
PP%
16.5
82.9
PK%
83.7
50.4
CF%*
48.6
54.0
CF60*
52.3
53.2
CA60*
55.2
*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
Forwards
Hoffman – Turris – Stone
Lazar – Zibanejad – Ryan
MacArthur – Pageau – Michalek
Chiasson – Smith – Neil
Mike Condon make his first career NHL start. Only those who are in very deep keeper leagues or daily leagues should even consider starting him today, and even then I recommend against it due to the risk involved. Condon is a very serviceable backup to Carey Price, but he will play mostly on the tail end of back to backs and most teams do not perform as well on the second game of a back to back.
The Eller-Galchenyuk-Semin was ON FIRE versus the Bruins. The trio had two goals, five assists, and fired six shots on net last night. Over the past two games, Eller has really shown the offensive capabilities that many expected when he came over from St. Louis in the Jaroslav Halak trade. Keep a close eye out for this line and if their production continues, don’t be the one caught sleeping.
Kyle Turris has also been a force to start the season, posting two multi-point games in a row. This trend will not continue, but I expect to see Turris get 60-65 points again this season. In the meantime, be sure to grab Turris if he’s available (I doubt he is) and ride out this hot streak; not to mention he won’t be shooting on the best goaltender in the league, Carey Price, today.
Although he has a massive amount of offensive potential, it’s worth holding out on Nathan Beaulieu for the time being. He’s lost his spot in the top 4 and has yet to play more than 14:27 in either of the first two games. With a +/- of 0 and 4 shots on net, he expanded stats won’t help your fantasy team either.
