GAME PREVIEW | Blues – Canadiens: Habs Face Reigning Cup Champ

By
Sam Gerber
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GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens vs St. Louis Blues: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 2  DET 4  F   The Canadiens came out flat in their home opener leading to a very disappointing loss. The Red Wings controlled most of the game, took advantage of their opportunities and hemmed the Habs in their own end for most of the night.

For a complete game recap: No Comeback For the Habs

Players to watch

  • Jeff Petry
    Petry is one of the more mobile Habs defenseman and needs to start leading by example getting the puck out early, consistently and smoothly.
  • Paul Byron
    Byron has had a quiet start, playing mostly fourth line and special teams. He has yet to use his speed like we’ve seen in the past and something he’ll need to start doing to make a difference for the Habs.
  • Brett Kulak
    Kulak will play on the second pairing with Petry tonight based solely on their chemistry last season. Kulak has had a tough start to this year dating back to pre-season.

Keys to Victory

  • Bring energy
    After very little effort in their first home game the Habs have to come out with energy for a full game.
  • Be physical
    Habs are going up against the defending champions and will need to up the physical play to not get pushed around by a much bigger team.
  • Get to the net
    The Canadiens have done a great job keeping players out of their crease but need to start getting some dirty goals by crashing the opponent’s net.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 12, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TVAS, CITY, FS-MW, NHLN

2019-20 statistics
BLUES CANADIENS
7 (5th) Points (rank) 4 (19th)
3-0-1 Record 1-1-2
2-0-0 Away/Home 0-1-0
3-0-1 Last 10 1-1-2
3.50 GF/G 3.50
2.75 GA/G 4.25
18.2 PP% 33.3
85.7 PK% 66.7
45.94  CF%  48.21
Pre-game quotes
Claude Julien

  • “We all know (Brett) Kulak can play good hockey. He had some difficulty in the first two games and even in training camp. We have to give the player a chance to come back and show what he can do. He’s a guy who can skate well and close the play well. We’re giving him a chance to start with (Jeff) Petry, but we’ll see.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs staff
Forwards
Schwartz – Schenn – Tarasenko
Blais – O’Reilly – Perron
Sanford –  Bozak – Fabbri
Barbashev – Sundqvist – Steen		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Domi – Weal
Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Byron – Thompson – Suzuki
Defensemen
Gunnarsson – Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester – Parayko
Dunn – Faulk		 Mete – Weber
Kulak – Petry
Chiarot – Folin
Out of the lineup
Scratched: MacEachern, Bortuzzo
Injured: Thomas
 Scratched: Reilly, Fleury
Injured: Cousins
Goalies
Jordan Binnington Carey Price
Record: 2-0-1
GAA: – 2.30
Sv%: – .928
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen		 Record: 1-1-1
GAA: – 3.51
Sv%: – .903
SO: 0
Alternate: Keith Kinkaid
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Habs next seven games are going to be a real test and they can’t afford to lose many. They must get ahead of the pack and it starts by knocking off the defending champs. The Blues have won three in a row and look like the team that won the Cup last season. 
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