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

Sam Gerber

January 2, 2018

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game: MTL 0 FLA 2

The Habs effort was there but they did not generate enough quality chances. James Reimer was a big factor for the Panthers but the Habs did not truly test him.

For a complete recap: Habs Shutout Again

Players to watch

Joe Pavelski
Pavelski has taken over as the leader for the Sharks, and is their biggest offensive weapon.
Brent Burns
Burns has had a quiet start to the season and is due to have a breakout game.
Phillip Danault
Danault is one of the leaders in points for the Canadiens but is the third worst forward defensively this season.

Keys to Victory

Use your speed
The Canadiens will be the faster team and need to use that to their advantage.
Win puck battles
The Sharks work hard along the boards, the Habs will need to out battle them in both ends in order to get the win.
Cycle the puck
The Montreal cycle game has disappeared. It is something that they need to get back to maintain offensive zone time.

Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| January 2, 7:30 PM ET \| TV: TSN2, RDS, NBCSC
	2017-18 statistics
SHARKS	2017-18 statistics	CANADIENS
44 (14th)	Points (rank)	36 (28th)
20-12-4	Record	16-19-4
8-6-2	Away/Home	9-7-3
6-2-2	Last 10	3-6-1
2.67	GF/G	2.54
2.53	GA/G	3.10
21.9	PP%	19.0
85.5	PK%	77.7
52.81	CF%	51.04


Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Meier – Thornton – Pavelski Hertl – Couture – Donskoi Boedker – Tierney – Labanc Sorenson – Ward – Karlsson	Pacioretty – Danault – Hudon Galchenyuk – Drouin – Lehkonen Byron – Plekanec – Gallagher Deslauriers – Shaw – Carr
Defensemen
Dillon – Burns Vlasic – Braun Ryan – DeMelo	Benn – Petry Alzner – Schlemko Morrow – Jerabek
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Heed, Martin, Hansen Injured: Goodrow	Scratched: De La Rose, Lernout, Froese Injured: Weber, Hemsky, Montoya
Goalies
Aaron Dell	Carey Price

Record: 7-3-1 GAA: 2.06 Sv%: .931 SO: 2 Alternate: Martin Jones	Record: 11-13-2 GAA: 2.97 Sv%: .907 SO: 1 Alternate: Antti Niemi

What to Expect

With a bad start to the season behind them the Habs will look at 2018 a bit differently. They have a chance to go on an incredible run and make the playoffs which is what all the players should have in their heads.

Prediction: Canadiens 1 Sharks 3

Unlucky for the Habs the Sharks are who they have to start the year against. The Sharks will attack in waves and never give up anything easy.

Highlights from the NHL

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Tickets


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2017-18 statistics