GAME DAY | Lightning – Canadiens: Preview, Lines, Goalies, TV, Fantasy

• In a season that has been widely regarded as a complete disaster for the Canadiens, us fans can still draw some positives looking forward. Alex Galchenyuk seems to have grown comfortable in the top center role that he was drafted for and is closing in on a 30 goal season (currently sitting at 28). Paul Byron has been a pleasant surprise and has emerged as a solid secondary scoring option in the bottom six and has seen his efforts rewarded with a new contract. With the immensely large list of injuries, many young players were given the opportunity to step up; most notably Sven Andrighetto, Daniel Carr, Mike Condon and Greg Pateryn (all of which should earn a full time roster spot next season). Lastly, with the struggle nearing an end, us fans can look forward to the draft and a guarantee pick in the top 9. This year’s draft will have a number of intriguing options for the Canadiens, so stay tuned to allhabs.net as my colleagues and I help you get prepped for June 24th and 25th.
• It was announced yesterday that both P. K. Subban and Carey Price will not return to the lineup before the conclusion of the 2015-16 season.
• Rookie goaltender, Charlie Lindgren, made his first career NHL start on Thursday night and came away victorious, he had this to say after the game: “A lot of credit goes to the team in front of me — them blocking shots and grabbing sticks — they played a fabulous game in front of me,”
• Another rookie experienced a first on Thursday night too as Darren Dietz scored his first career NHL goal. He had this to say about it: “I saw Patch and Gally attacking with the puck, and when those two have it, special things happen pretty often. I just tried to make myself available and those two have a real knack for getting the puck to the open guy. After I got it, it was just a matter of getting the puck on net.”
• While the Canadiens have a 30-20-3 record versus teams in the Eastern Conference this season, the Lightning have a 30-20-3 record against teams from the East.
• So far this season, the Canadiens have a 17-11-1 record versus teams in the Atlantic division, while the Lightning have a 15-11-3 record versus teams coming from the Atlantic.
• The Canadiens have maintained their place in the standings for the goals against category, as they are currently in 21st in the league in goals against, with 234 in 81 games. The Lightning have allowed 196 goals in 81 games and find themselves in 5th in the league.
• The Canadiens have maintained their place in the standings for the goals scored category as they are currently in 16th place in the NHL, with 216 over their first 81 games. The Lightning are 13th in this category with 225 goals scored in their first 81 games.

• Top scorers for the Lightning on the road this season are:

1. Steven Stamkos* (with 27 points in 37 games)
2. Nikita Kucherov (with 26 points in 39 games)
3. Victor Hedman* (with 25 points in 38 games)

• Top scorers for the Canadiens at home this season are:

1. Max Pacioretty (with 29 points in 40 games)
2. Tomas Plekanec (with 28 points in 40 games)
3. Alex Galchenyuk and P. K. Subban* (both with 26 points in 40 and 33 games respectively)

* – Currently injured

Player stats from War-on-Ice, NHL.com and Yahoo Sports.