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GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Capitals: Weal Expected Back In Habs Lineup

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 3  CBJ 2  F/SO   The Blue Jackets played an almost near perfect road game. They limited the Habs chances to the perimeter, got the first goal of the game then jammed up the neutral zone. Brendan Gallagher’s shot fooled Elvis Merzlikins to tie the game early in the third. Carey Price shutdown all three attempts in the shootout while Jonathan Drouin scored the game winner.

For a complete game recap: Habs Find A Way to Win

Players to watch

  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki’s game saving pass seemed to be delivered with confidence. Hopefully this will encourage the head coach to change his ways and have more trust in young players on the roster. 
  • Victor Mete
    Mete showed off his speed last game in a desperate attempt to stop a breakaway. He took a penalty but it was a glimpse into his ability to skate that should be used more  when jumping into the rush.
  • Jeff Petry
    Petry has stepped up this season and with Shea Weber having a great start to the season have formed an effective top two on the right side of the Canadiens defence. Now Marc Bergevin must do something about the holes left unfilled on the left side next to each of them. 

Keys to Victory

  • Use speed
    The Habs can’t let the opposition shut them down in the neutral zone again. Montreal needs to play fast and use their speed starting in their own end.
  • Make better shot selection
    The Habs have to find a way to get into the slot and take advantage rather than relying on perimeter shots.
  • Shut down Ovechkin
    Ovechkin is still a one man army who can take over a game in a matter of seconds.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Capital One Arena, Washington, DC | November 15, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, NBCSWA

2019-20 statistics
CAPITALS CANADIENS
32 (1st) Points (rank) 23 (8th)
14-2-4 Record 10-5-3
5-1-3 Home/Away 4-2-3
8-0-2 Last 10 6-3-1
3.85 GF/G 3.53
2.95 GA/G 3.12
22.9 PP% 21.4
84.9 PK% 72.2
50.29  CF% 52.24
Pre-game quotes
Brendan Gallagher
  • “They’re obviously one of the best, if not the best, team in the National Hockey League right now, so a really good test for our group. [We’re] well rested, really no excuse for us not to come out. It should be a good game, we should have our skating legs. It’s a tough challenge coming into this building and winning, but it should be fun for our group.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Oshie
Vrana – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Stephenson – Eller – Hathaway
Leipsic – Panik – Boyd		 Drouin – Danault – Gallagher
Byron – Domi – Armia
Tatar – Suzuki – Lehkonen
Cousins – Thompson – Weal
Defensemen
Kempny – Carlson
Orlov – Gudas
Siegenthaler – Jensen		  Mete – Weber
Chiarot – Petry
Kulak – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: 
Injured: Hagelin, Dowd
 Scratched: Reilly, Folin
Injured: Kotkaniemi
Goalies
Ilya Samsonov Carey Price
Record: 5-1-1
GAA: – 2.45
Sv%: – .915
SO: 0
Alternate: Braden Holtby		 Record: 9-4-2
GAA: – 2.65
Sv%: – .916
SO: 1
Alternate: Keith Kinkaid
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Caps are sitting pretty at the top of the standings, and have earned at least one point in each of their last 10 games with an 8-0-2 record. The Habs are 6-3-1 in their last 10 which isn’t too shabby either. The Habs heavily relied on Carey Price for a win against the Blue Jackets. A better effort from the Habs and they could continue to climb the standings.
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