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

By
Sam Gerber
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Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 1  NSH 4    The Canadiens came out flat against the Predators, something that you simply just can’t do in today’s NHL. The Preds pounced on the opportunity, leading by two goals after the first period. Shea Weber briefly got the Habs back on track in the second but Nashville replied quickly. It was a dismal effort and one that they can’t afford to have again this season.   

For a complete game recap: Habs Dominated by Preds Start to Finish

Players to watch

  • Mike Reilly
    Reilly missed his first chance to play his former team but will be in the line-up tonight with a chip on his shoulder. He has been struggling the past few games and needs to get back on track against his former team.
  • Max Domi
    Domi is officially in a scoring slump, again. Domi hasn’t been consistent since October. For the Habs to make the playoffs, they need Domi to find his scoring touch once again.
  • Paul Byron
    Byron finds himself back with the two Finns. When together earlier in the season, Byron along with Artturi Lehkonen and Jesperi Kotkaniemi were very effective.    

Keys to Victory

  • Be ready from the start
    The Habs came out flat from the start against the Predators. They learned that they must be ready right from the get go. 
  • Generate offense
    The Canadiens need to generate offense. It will be tough going up against a strong defensive team in the Wild.
  • Play their game
    Montreal played the Wild’s style last game and were demolished by Minnesota. They must play their game from the start.
Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 7, 7:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, FS-N

2018-19 statistics
WILD CANADIENS
43 (19th) Points (rank) 45 (14th)
20-17-3 Record 22-15-5
10-10-0 Away/Home 11-8-2
4-5-1 Last 10 6-4-0
2.95 GF/G 3.07
2.83 GA/G 3.14
22.4 PP% 13.0
84.7 PK% 77.8
50.55  CF%  54.34
 
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Zucker – Staal – Granlund
Parise – Coyle – Kunin
Greenway – Koivu – Niederreiter
Foligno – Fehr – Brown		 Drouin – Domi – Armia
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Byron
Agostino – Chaput – Deslauriers
Defensemen
Suter – Spurgeon
Brodin – Pateryn
Seeler – Prosser		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Hendricks, Murphy
Injured: Dumba
 Scratched: Peca, Hudon, Alzner
Injured: Shaw
Goalies
Devan Dubnyk Carey Price
Record: 15-14-3
GAA: – 2.64
Sv%: – .912
SO: 0
Alternate: Alex Stalock		 Record: 16-11-4
GAA: – 2.76
Sv%: – .908
SO: 2
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens were embarrassed by the Wild a few weeks ago suffering a crushing 7-1 loss. The Habs need to answer back for that game and the lack of effort against the Predators. Montreal knows that they have to perform much better but have a tough match-up against the Wild. It starts at puck drop. The Canadiens must come out flying and give a full team effort.
Highlights from the NHL
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