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

The Habs started the home opener feeding off the crowd. To my eyes, the officials missed an obvious penalty call where Drew Doughty cross-checked Max Domi head first into the boards. Shortly after that, the Kings took advantage of a Habs miss-cue to score. The Habs weren’t the same after giving up the first goal, and the Kings didn’t look back. The Habs padded their shot totals with a number of power-plays in the third but they were mostly open looks for the Kings net-minder. The Habs were also badly beaten in the faceoff dot, Danault was a big part of this.

A moment occurred in the game that got my attention where the game was stopped for over 10 minutes. Down 3-0 the Habs looked to have scored a goal. It was immediately waved off due the referee believing Andrew Shaw knocked the puck out of the goalies’ glove. The play was reviewed which showed which showed the puck going into the goal without contact to the glove. It was ruled a goal. The play was then challenged by the Kings and reviewed once again for goalie interference by Shaw which was obvious. In the end the correct call was made but it took far too long. The refs handled the situation poorly but it is the NHL that must streamline their process. Something has to change.

For a complete game recap: Habs Pad Shot Total, Can’t Finish

Players to watch

• Jonathan Drouin
  Against the Kings, Drouin struggled once again. With only five shots through three games and no points, it is simply not enough. His play without the puck is the main reason he is struggling. He’s found himself on a new line with Max Domi and Artturi Lehkonen where he needs to be better.
• Tomas Plekanec
  Plekanec will be playing his first game in the season, this is likely due to his face-off expertise issue, and that Plekanec is one of the most reliable players on the ice. He can still play which was quite evident in last years’ playoffs.
• Tomas Tatar
  Tatar has had some chances; he rang one off the cross-bar and was in alone but was hooked, and wasn’t able to finish. Playing with Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher, Tatar has to be the finisher. Danault plays a speed and set-up game where Gallagher gets to the dirty areas. Tatar will continue to get his chance and needs to make the most of it.

Keys to Victory

• Execute the game plan
  The Habs failed to execute their game plan from the start against the Kings. Montreal must come out fast.
• Control the game
  The Kings controlled the game once they scored and the Habs seemed to be chasing the play. A similar night against the Pens will end in a lopsided game.
• Don’t hesitate
  The Habs are looking to make the perfect play and aren’t shooting when they get the chance within 10 feet.