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GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Islanders: Targeting a Wild Card Spot

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens – New York Islanders: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 3  DET 1    The Canadiens did not play well giving an opportunity to the 30th place team in the league. But this night belonged to Carey Price who shut down the Wings offense including three beakaways. Price earned win number 315, making him the winningest goalie in Habs history. 

For a complete game recap: Price is Winningest Goalie in Habs History

Players to watch

  • Carey Price
    After passing Jacques Plante for most wins in franchise history, Price’s main goal is to win a Stanley Cup. Price has had an outstanding season but he will need a lot of help from his teammates to achieve that goal.
  • Max Domi
    The Habs need Domi to be a difference maker for the rest of the season. He has set personal career highs but he has been very inconsistent. Domi must up his effort level for the Habs to make the playoffs.
  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    Kotkaniemi hasn’t looked the same since sitting out for ‘rest.’ It appears that Claude Julien has shaken his confidence. His first goal on the road may be the prescription to get KK back on track.

Keys to Victory

  • Execute breakouts
    The Isles are the strongest defensive team in the league, allowing the fewest number of goals. The Habs have to be just as strong as defensively and make it a tight checking game.
  • Play good defence
    The Canadiens breakout is key to their transition game and needs to be sharp against a hard fore-checking team like the Islanders.
  • Make better shot selections
    With the Islanders being a great defensive team, Montreal has to make better choices when they shoot the puck on goal. 
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY | March 14, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, MSG+

2018-19 statistics
ISLANDERS CANADIENS
87 (7th) Points (rank) 81 (13th)
40-22-7 Record 37-26-7
21-11-4 Home/Away 17-15-3
5-4-1 Last 10 5-5-0
2.84 GF/G 2.99
2.36 GA/G 2.97
15.2 PP% 12.3
81.0 PK% 80.4
47.39  CF%  54.30
Pre-game quote
Claude Julien
  • “I think they are two teams that weren’t supposed to be where they are today, and right now we’re both fighting to make sure we get a spot in the playoffs.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Lee – Barzal – Eberle
Ladd – Nelson – Beauvillier
Komarov – Filppula – Bailey
Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
 Byron – Domi – Shaw
Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Weal
Lehkonen – Thompson – Armia
Defensemen
 Leddy – Mayfield
Pelech – Pulock
Hickey – Toews		 Mete – Weber
Kulak – Petry
   Benn – Folin
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Dal Colle, Johnston, Kuhnhackl, Sbisa, Seidenberg
Injured: Boychuk
 Scratched: Reilly, Hudon, Deslauriers, Peca, Weise, Lindgren
Injured: none
Goalies
Thomas Greiss Carey Price
Record: 20-11-2
GAA: – 2.26
Sv%: – .927
SO: 5
Alternate: Robin Lehner		 Record: 28-19-5
GAA: – 2.51
Sv%: – .917
SO: 3
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens and Islanders will play twice within a week. The Islanders are in a much more comfortable spot than Montreal right now. The Habs need the points and won’t be easy to play against. Montreal is stronger team offensively but they will need to focus on their defence just as much to secure a much needed two points. Of the final twelve games of the season, Montreal’s next six games should be easier than their final six. The Habs have to find a way to get on a winning streak winning seven or eight of their remaining games.
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