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GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Flames: Kulak Returns to Calgary

GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames: 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  VAN 1  F   If it was not for an off-side challenge won by the Habs they would have found themselves down 2-1. The Habs gained momentum scoring shortly after only to have another challenge not go their way. The Habs were robbed of a goal but didn’t quit. They scored two goals early in the third to pick up their fourth win in five games.

For a complete game recap: Price Leads Habs to Win

Players to watch

  • Max Domi
    For the second time in the last three games, Domi has showed he can really set up his teammates. Until Domi becomes a threat to score himself the Habs offense will be missing a key piece.
  • Cale Fleury
    Game experience for Fleury has given the rookie a ton of confidence. He is making solid moves at the blue line and setting up his teammates. The second half of his season may show the true talent this kid has.
  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki hasn’t collected a point in the last four games. But he still is making the right plays and has moments in a game where his talent is evident.  

Keys to Victory

  • Score on the power-play
    The Canadiens are 10th in the NHL with the man advantage as it is finding different ways to  score. Creativity has been the key and the Habs have to keep it up if they want to win close games.
  • Win the transition game
    The Habs transition game can be dangerous helping them prevail last game. It will be key against a Flames team who have struggled to keep out goals their last two games.
  • Get a lead
    The Habs are a much better team when they have the lead and an early goal will go along way against a Flames team.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB | December 19, 9:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, SNW

2019-20 statistics

FLAMES CANADIENS
40 (14th) Points (rank) 38 (16th)
18-14-4 Record 16-12-6
10-5-2 Home/Away 8-4-3
7-2-1 Last 10 5-4-1
2.58 GF/G 3.12
3.00 GA/G 3.15
17.2 PP% 21.7
84.1 PK% 75.9
50.92  CF% 53.70
Pre-game quotes
Brendan Gallagher
  • “Even before we started getting results, we had some idea that we were starting to play the right way again, we were able to build a little bit of confidence. But you really don’t start to buy in until you win some hockey games. We were able to win, something to build on there, and then since then what we just went through, we don’t want to fall back in that trap.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Tkachuk – Lindholm – Mangiapane
Dube – Monahan – Backlund
Lucic – Ryan – Gaudreau
Bennett – Rieder – Frolik 
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Domi – Armia
Cousins – Suzuki – Weal
Poehling – Thompson – Barber
Defensemen
Giordano – Brodie
Hanifin – Hamonic
Kylington – Andersson
Chiarot – Weber
Kulak – Petry
Reilly – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Rinaldo, Jankowski, Stone
Injured: none
Scratched: Vejdemo, Folin
Injured: Drouin, Byron, Mete, Peca, Kotkaniemi
Goalies
David Rittich Carey Price
Record: 15-8-4
GAA: – 2.73
Sv%: – .914
SO: 2
Alternate: Cam Talbot
Record: 14-10-3
GAA: – 2.84
Sv%: – .908
SO: 1
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Flames are only two points up on the Habs in the standings which should make for a close game. The Flames will be the first to admit the season hasn’t been great so far and have lacked consistency. The Flames have one of the best defenseman in the league in Mark Giordano but their forwards haven’t had the fire power this season.
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