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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 4 TBL 5 F The Habs came out flying, getting an early two-goal lead and putting up 20 shots in the first period. But for the 14th time this season the Habs gave up a goal late in a period. With the momentum, the Bolts scored three goals in the second period. Poor execution and weak defensive play sunk the Habs.

For a complete game recap: Habs Can’t Maintain Start

Players to watch

Max Domi
Domi has found his scoring touch with goals in four straight games. But it is a bit of Jekyll and Hyde as Domi has been atrocious on the defensive side of the game.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Kotkaniemi played well, scoring in his first game back from injury. If he can keep it up the Habs will have improved depth.
Ben Chiarot
The Canadiens defence was terrible against Tampa Bay but Chiarot and Shea Weber were the best of a bad lot. Chariot is seven points away from his career high and has been a big physical presence.

Keys to Victory

Minimize giveaways
The Habs turnovers allowed Tampa back in the game. The Canadiens can’t compound problems once the turnover has been made.
Play to the end of periods
The Habs cant afford to give up late period goals. It has cost them a number of games and points in the standings.
Keep the pace
The Habs need to keep the energy up all game long, even when up by a goal or two. A let down allowed the Lightning to come back in Saturday’s game.

Statistical Matchup by All Habs
BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL \| December 29, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: SN, RDS, FS-F
	2019-20 statistics
PANTHERS	2019-20 statistics	CANADIENS
43 (17th)	Points (rank)	42 (22nd)
19-13-5	Record	18-14-6
12-7-2	Home/Away	10-6-3
6-4-0	Last 10	6-4-0
3.49	GF/G	3.24
3.30	GA/G	3.18
24.4	PP%	23.2
79.7	PK%	75.4
49.58	CF%	54.18

Pre-game quotes
Jeff Petry “What we were doing really well in that last stretch was playing good defense and that kind of slipped away from us (against Tampa Bay).”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Huberdeau – Barkov – Dadonov Connolly – Trocheck – Acciari Vatrano – Boyle – Hoffman Sceviour – Toninato – Hawryluk	Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Lehkonen – Domi – Suzuki Cousins – Kotkaniemi – Weal Poehling – Thompson – Barber
Defensemen
Yandle – Pysyk Stillman – Stralman Matheson – Brown	Chiarot – Weber Kulak – Petry Mete – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Malgin Injured: Weegar, Ekblad	Scratched: Vejdemo, Folin, Reilly Injured: Drouin, Byron, Peca, Armia
Goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky	Carey Price

Record: 13-10-4 GAA: – 3.20 Sv%: – .899 SO: 1 Alternate: Chris Driedger	Record: 16-12-3 GAA: – 2.93 Sv%: – .904 SO: 1 Alternate: Charlie Lindgren

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

A disappointing loss needs to be followed up by a statement win. Both teams played last night so they will be no excuses. Goaltending should be a big part of this game. The two teams have very similar special teams statistics.

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

2019-20 statistics