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

Sam Gerber

January 15, 2019

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 3 BOS 2 (OT) This was an original six match-up that did not disappoint. The Canadiens gave up the first goal but answered back before the period ended from a perfect deflection by Brendan Gallagher. After the Habs took a penalty, Paul Byron jumped on loose puck then flew the length of the ice scoring with the backhand finish. The Bruins tied the game on a 6-on-4 due to a late delay of game penalty by Michael Chaput. In overtime, the Habs won the face-off and never gave up possession of the puck. Jeff Petry batted the puck into the wide open net. Carey Price was the star of the game, making 41 saves including 17 in the final period.

For a complete game recap: Price is Dominant, Petry Bats In OT Winner

Players to watch

Max Domi
Domi has yet to find the net this calendar year but is showing good signs. Against Boston his shot that set-up the overtime winner showed a player that was patient and not feeling rushed to score. With the playoff race getting tighter, Domi will be a big part of how far the Habs go.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Kotkaniemi will go head-to-head against fellow countryman Alexander Barkov, a player KK admires. For two players who will play a lot of international hockey together in the future, this will be a big test for the 18-year-old to see if he can out compete the more developed Barkov.
Antti Niemi
Niemi, a former Panther, beat his former team once already this year and he’ll be tasked to do it once again. Niemi has struggled mightily for most of the season. The Canadiens need to Niemi to be strong and give confidence in the back-up role as Price has been playing great hockey and has been on the edge of being overworked.

Keys to Victory

Protect the net
The Canadiens played two high-scoring teams, limiting them to only two goals, thanks to Carey Price. With Price getting a much deserved night off, the Habs have to protect Niemi who has been shaky this season.
Play with energy
A back-to-back game with travel is always difficult, but it is no excuse for taking a night off. The Canadiens need to play with energy and make the Panthers look like the team that played yesterday.
Win special teams
Special teams played a big role in the game against Boston. Montreal was on both sides of the equation with penalties being costly but also scoring shorthanded. The Canadiens know that they have to be more disciplined and shut down the Panthers big power-play.

Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| January 15, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-F
	2018-19 statistics
PANTHERS	2018-19 statistics	CANADIENS
42 (26th)	Points (rank)	55 (12th)
17-19-8	Record	25-17-5
9-13-3	Away/Home	12-9-2
3-5-2	Last 10	6-4-0
3.09	GF/G	2.96
3.55	GA/G	3.00
26.6	PP%	12.5
79.8	PK%	78.7
50.37	CF%	54.09



Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Vatrano – Barkov – Dadonov Huberdeau – Borgstrom – Bjugstad Hoffman – McCann – Malgin Hawryluk – Lammikko – Sceviour	Lehkonen – Domi – Armia Drouin – Danault – Gallagher Tatar – Kotkaniemi – Byron Agostino – Chaput – Deslauriers
Defensemen
Yandle – Ekblad Matheson – Pysyk McCoshen – Weegar	Mete – Weber Reilly – Petry Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Haley, Brouwer, Kiselevich Injured: MacKenzie, Trocheck	Scratched: Hudon, Peca, Alzner Injured: Shaw
Goalies
Roberto Luongo	Antti Niemi

Record: 8-11-1 GAA: – 3.34 Sv%: – .892 SO: 1 Alternate: James Reimer	Record: 7-4-1 GAA: – 3.84 Sv%: – .886 SO: 0 Alternate: Carey Price

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

While the Canadiens are hanging on to a wildcard spot for the time being, three teams are right behind them all with games in hand, the Islanders, Sabres and Hurricanes. For the Habs it’s simple, they control their own fate. It’s a test for a team that is missing key pieces on defense and forward but needs the compete level to offset the holes in the lineup. It starts tonight against the Panthers who are are much better team then the standings show. They have a strong power-play and are a young fast team that the Habs should be able to match.

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2018-19 statistics