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

Sam Gerber

6 years ago

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 1 DAL 4

The Habs came out great in the opening period but didn’t get one by Ben Bishop. In the second, the Canadiens got into penalty trouble. The Stars went to the second intermission with a two goal lead.. In the third, Brendan Gallagher gave his team a spark by crashing the net and surprisingly surviving a review. But with the Habs on the power-play with a chance to tie it, a constantly turnover by Jonathan Drouin resulted in a shorthanded goal. The Habs continued to fight but the shots were too easy for Bishop, and the Stars added empty net goal to put it out of reach..

For a complete game recap: Stars Special Teams Sink Habs

Players to watch

Joel Armia
Armia has been one of the Habs best players, but is still not scoring. He has been bumped up to the first power-play unit to hopefully spark him and the Habs.
Phillip Danault
Danault plays a quiet game, and is now being used against teams’ top lines. He’s the most used center for the Habs meaning he still needs to produce even in a checking role.
Artturi Lehkonen
Lehkonen has been one of the best forwards for the Canadiens this season. most consistent forward all season long. He is expected to play on an all-Finn line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia tonight.

Keys to Victory

Stay out of the box
The Habs took seven minor penalties last game, and paid for it. Going up against the Caps, with one of the best power-plays in the league, the Canadiens have to stay out of the box.
Execute on special teams
Special teams was the reason the Habs lost the game against Dallas. It is something that will continue to burn them all year if they don’t fix it.
Get traffic
Montreal forwards continue to shoot from the perimeter. They need to get traffic in front. With traffic, the defense can simplify their game, by shooting for a deflection or just getting it on net.

Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| November 1, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, NBCSWA
	2018-19 statistics
CAPITALS	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
12 (18th)	Points (rank)	14 (13th)
5-3-2	Record	6-3-2
2-2-1	Away/Home	4-2-0
5-3-2	Last 10	6-3-1
3.80	GF/G	3.00
3.60	GA/G	2.64
37.1	PP%	16.3
72.5	PK%	77.5
49.28	CF%	52.75

eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon

Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Vrana Burakovsky – Backstrom – Oshie Stephenson – Eller – Connolly Jaskin – Dowd – Smith-Pelly	Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Drouin – Domi – Hudon Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Armia Deslauriers – Peca – Shaw
Defensemen
Orlov – Niskanen Kempney – Carlson Djoos – Bowey	Benn – Petry Reilly – Juulsen Ouellet – Mete
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Walker, Ness Injured: Orpik, Boyd, Wilson (suspension)	Scratched: Alzner Injured: Byron, Weber, Schlemko, Plekanec
Goalies
Braden Holtby	Carey Price

Record: 4-2-1 GAA: – 3.40 Sv%: – .888 SO: 1 Alternate: Pheonix Copley	Record: 4-2-2 GAA: – 2.24 Sv%: – .915 SO: 1 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Canadiens had a soft schedule for the month of October but things have gotten tougher this past week. The Habs had Boston, Dallas, Washington and Tampa Bay in a row, followed by the New York Islanders and Rangers. The Canadiens know that this is a big test for them and that it’s not going to be easy. If the Habs are able to gather eight or nine points out of a possible 12 they should consider this a win. But that means they are allowed to lose one more game during this difficult stretch. Staying out of the penalty box is obviously going to be key for the Habs.

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2018-19 statistics