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

Sam Gerber

6 years ago

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 5 PIT 1

Paul Byron showed why he earned the new contract with the Habs. Byron had a two-goal game and set-up Joel Armia for his first in a Habs sweater. Just like against the Maple Leafs, the Canadiens outworked and outplayed the Penguins. Carey Price stood tall once again and looks to be back in Vezina-winning form.

For a complete game recap: Habs Smother Pens

Players to watch

Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Playing for the Montreal Canadiens has got to be a special feeling. But playing in the regular season home opener as an 18 year-old should be on a completely different level. The Bell Centre will be louder than its been in a long time if Kotkaniemi gets his first NHL goal tonight.
Jeff Petry
Petry has slightly modified his game this season. In my eyes, he is more physical and is getting the puck up the ice a lot faster. Petry has helped his pairing to be better. Forwards are now depending on him to make the right play every time he has the puck.
Max Domi
Domi has been waiting to make a better impression on Bell Centre fans than the one that led to his five-game suspension in the pre-season. Domi leads the team in assists, but is looking to get his first goal tonight in front of a home crowd.

Keys to Victory

Start strong
The building should be buzzing. A quick start to propel the fans going is what the Habs need.
Be physical
The Kings are a bigger team and aren’t afraid to use their size. Montreal must show the Kings that they won’t be pushed around.
Strike on the power-play
The Canadiens had a decent power-play last season. They will want to get it on track starting tonight.

Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| October 11, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: RDS, TSN2, FS-W
	2018-19 statistics
KINGS	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
3 (18th)	Points (rank)	3 (17th)
1-1-1	Record	1-0-1
0-1-0	Away/Home	0-0-0
1-1-1	Last 10	1-0-1
2.33	GF/G	3.50
2.33	GA/G	2.00
0.0	PP%	14.3
70.0	PK%	83.3
39.26	CF%	52.36

eSAT Analytics by Mathieu Chagnon

Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kovalchuk Pearson – Kempe – Toffoli Anderson-Dolan – Amadio – Carter Clifford – Thompson – Lewis	Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Armia Byron – Domi – Lehkonen Hudon – Peca – Shaw
Defensemen
Forbort – Doughty Muzzin – Martinez Phaneuf – LaDue	Mete – Petry Reilly – Juulsen Benn – Ouellet
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Fantenberg, Wagner Injured: Quick, Brown, Brodzinski, Vilardi	Scratched: Alzner, Scherbak, Plekanec Injured: Weber, Schlemko, De la Rose, Deslauriers
Goalies
Jack Campbell	Carey Price

Record: 1-1-0 GAA: – 2.03 Sv%: – .948 SO: 0 Alternate: Peter Budaj	Record: 1-0-1 GAA: – 1.98 Sv%: – .917 SO: 0 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The home opener is always a sight. It will be good to see, with the torch passing to Shea Weber, who is expected to take part in the opening ceremonies. With 1-0-1 start the season, the fans will have a reason to be loud. Expect some nerves from the six players who will be playing in their first home opener. The Habs have had several days to prepare for this game, after not playing since last Saturday. They will come out with energy trying to execute the game plan from the start, using their speed to get the Kings on their heels. The Kings have a lot of veterans in their line-up that should be handle the early emotion and can easily take over games. If the Habs are going to leave with the win they have to capitalize on every chance.

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2018-19 statistics