GAME DAY | Chicago Blackhawks – Montreal Canadiens: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Odds, Habs Tickets
Game Preview by Sam Gerber | |
Last game : MTL 1 NYI 2 The Canadiens let points slip away after a costly turnover in the final few minutes of the game sealed their fate. The Habs were outplayed for most of the game and relied heavily on Price to keep them in it. Montreal settled for perimeter shots all night not truly testing Thomas Greiss. Jordie Benn notched his career high fifth goal of the season.
For a complete game recap: Tough Loss Hurts Habs Playoff Chances
Keys to Victory
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Scouting the odds | ||
While Montreal tumbles out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, Chicago is making a push in the West thanks to a four-game win streak. But recent results have not skewed the moneyline for Saturday’s game. A quick odds comparison shows that Montreal is about a -160 favorite. While Montreal is 20-15 at home (for betting purposes) and the Hawks are well under .500 on the road (15-20), these teams are playing closer to their preseason projections lately. The better value is on the underdog here. | ||
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders | ||
Forwards | ||
Saad – Toews – Sikura Kahun – Anisimov – Kane DeBrincat – Strome – Perlini Kunitz – Kampf – Kruger |
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Lehkonen – Domi – Shaw Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Armia Byron – Thompson – Weal |
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Defensemen | ||
Keith – Gustafsson Forsling – Seabrook Koekkoek – Murphy |
Mete – Weber Kulak – Petry Benn – Folin |
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Out of the lineup | ||
Scratched: Dahlstrom, Hayden Injured: Caggiula |
Scratched: Reilly, Hudon, Deslauriers, Peca, Weise, Lindgren Injured: none |
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Goalies | ||
Corey Crawford | Carey Price | |
Record: 11-15-2 GAA: – 3.18 Sv%: – .902 SO: 1 Alternate: Cam Ward |
Record: 29-21-5 GAA: – 2.58 Sv%: – .915 SO: 3 Alternate: Antti Niemi |
What to Expect by Sam Gerber |
An original six match up on a Saturday night doesn’t get much better. While the Canadiens are two points away from a playoff spot, the Blackhawks would have to run the table to give themselves a shot. If the Habs are ready to play and are confident in themselves they should be able to handle the Hawks. Chicago still has one of the best scorers in the league and have won four in a row. The Habs can’t take them lightly needing this game if they want a chance at making the playoffs. |
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