Game Day: Red Wings vs Canadiens – Preview, Lines, Goalies, TV, Fantasy
Jordan Lambe
Pre-game Notes and Quotes
After signing his new two year, 12 million dollar deal yesterday, Tomas Plekanec had this to say: “We have a special team. Obviously, that’s the biggest reason why I signed. There’s no better place to win a Stanley Cup than in Montreal. I’ve been here my whole career and having that chance to win it with the team we have, there’s a big chance that we can really do some damage the next couple of years.”
Carey Price on the Canadiens’ season to date: “Our penalty killers have been doing such a great job since the start of the season. They’ve allowed me to see the puck. They’re getting in the shooting lanes, and I’m just trying to do my part to make the odd save.”
The Canadiens went 26-9-6 at home last season, while the Red Wings had a 21-15-5 record on the road.
Jeff Blashill about his defense core, five of which have averaged between 18:14 and 21:26 so far: “Last game is the only game we hard-matched at all and we’ve had some matches throughout the other games. We think all six defensemen are very capable and as long as they continue to play that way they’ll continue to get ice time. We think the balance of ice time helps our group.”
Johan Franzen has been placed back on IR after his concussions symptoms have reappeared. Franzen was forced to sit out most of last year with concussion symptoms as well.
Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC. | October 17, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC,NHLN-US,TVAS,FS-D
2015-16 statistics
RED WINGS
CANADIENS
6 (3rd)
Points (Eastern conf. rank)
10 (1st)
3-1-0
Record
5-0-0
2-1-0
Home
1-0-0
1-0-0
Road
4-0-0
n/a
Last 10
n/a
3.50
G/G
3.20
2.25
GA/G
2.00
20.0
PP%
9.5
86.7
PK%
88.9
50.4
CF%*
57.6
48.1
CF60*
62.9
56.0
CA60*
46.4
*Advanced statistics: Score adjusted, even strength. CF%: Corsi for percentage of total CF60: Corsi For/60 minutes CA60: Corsi Against/60 minutes (via War on Ice)
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
2015-’16 regular season: Record: 1-0-0 GAA: 3.00 Sv%: .936 SO: 0 Alternate: Jimmy Howard
2015-’16 regular season: Record: 4-0-0 GAA: 1.25 Sv%: .957 SO: 1 Alternate: Mike Condon
Fantasy Outlook
As mentioned above, the Red Wings had a 21-15-5 record on the road in 2014-15, and they also sported a record of 6-5-1 on the tail end of back to back sets. With both of these statistics (plus the Canadiens amazing record at home last season and perfect start to the season), odds are definitely against Detroit to win this tilt. Due to the fact that wins and/or shutouts are usually one of the goalie statistics used in fantasy hockey, I recommend sitting or cautiously starting Petr Mrazek.
Top scorers for the Canadiens on home ice last season were:
Max Pacioretty (45 points in 40 games)
P. K. Subban (33 points in 41 games)
David Desharnais and TomasPlekanec (both with 31 points in 41 games)
Top scorers for the Red Wings on away from home ice last season were:
Pavel Datsyuk (35 points in 34 games)
Tomas Tatar (31 points in 41 games)
Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader (both with 24 points in 36 and 37 games respectfully)
Of course Pavel Datsyuk is still injured so expect the other three players listed above to perform well for the Red Wings. Both Pacioretty and Subban are must start players in any fantasy circle, but start Plekanec and Desharnais with confidence, as they may fringe starters on some other teams.
