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

Sam Gerber

7 years ago

Game Preview by Sam Gerber, Staff Writer

Last game: MTL 1 CBJ 2 (OT)

The Canadiens came away with one point, but had the opportunity for two. Charlie Lindgren and Paul Byron were the Habs best players once again but were not enough to stop the Blue Jackets.

For a complete recap: Habs Struggle to Generate Offence

Players to watch

Nicolas Deslauriers
Deslauriers will be playing his first game for the Habs this season. He won’t offer much offensively but expect Deslauriers to finish his checks tonight. His effort level with the Rocket has been questionable this season but he would be wise to make simple plays and make the most of each shift in this game.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Ekman-Larsson is an elite NHL defenseman that who is especially dangerous running the power-play. The Habs can’t let him control the play or he will find an open man with ease.
Jonathan Drouin
After struggling against the Blue Jackets, this is great opportunity for Drouin to deliver a statement game. Playing against the worst team in the league, Drouin will have better matchups this game and will need to take advantage of them.

Keys to Victory

Don’t hestitate
The Canadiens have been very passive with the puck and are hanging on to it a little more than they should be.
Retrieve the puck
The Coyotes are weak defensively. If the Habs are aggressive on the forecheck they will create turnovers.
Don’t count your chickens
The Coyote’s may be at the bottom of the league, but the Habs should not underestimate them thinking that this will be an easy win.

Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| November 16, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-A
	2017-18 statistics
COYOTES	2017-18 statistics	CANADIENS
7 (31st)	Points (rank)	18 (25th)
2-15-3	Record	8-9-2
1-9-2	Away/Home	4-3-2
2-6-2	Last 10	6-3-1
2.25	GF/G	2.42
3.90	GA/G	3.32
13.6	PP%	15.9
76.8	PK%	75.8
48.15	CF%	53.46


Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Perlini – Stepan – Rieder Keller – Richardson – Fischer Domi – Dvorak – Rinaldo Martinook – Kempe – Duclair	Galchenyuk – Drouin – Byron Pacioretty – Danault – Shaw Hudon – Plekanec – Gallagher Deslauriers – De La Rose – Froese
Defensemen
Ekman-Larsson – Connauton Goligoski – Demers Hanley – Schenn	Benn – Weber Alzner – Petry Mete – Morrow
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Cousins Injured: Chychrun, Hjalmarsson	Scratched: Davidson, Mitchell Injured: Hemsky, Schlemko, Scherbak, Price, Montoya, Lehkonen
Goalies
Antti Raanta	Charlie Lindgren

Record: 1-5-2 GAA: 3.16 Sv%: .905 SO: 0 Alternate: Scott Wedgewood	Record: 3-1-1 GAA: 1.39 Sv%: .957 SO: 1 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect

Drouin should rebound from last game and his chemistry with Galchenyuk will finally turn into points. A quick start will really help the Habs as their confidence is fragile once again.

Prediction: Canadiens 5 Coyotes 1

If the Habs let the Coyotes stick around in the game they will definitely pay for it.

Highlights from the NHL

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2017-18 statistics