Site icon Habs Hockey Report

GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Sabres: Gallagher Returns to Habs Lineup

Rick Stephens

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

Game Preview 
Last game : MTL 2  WSH 4  F  The Canadiens had a disappointing return following their break. The second period was their downfall characterized by sloppy play and poor decisions. Carey Price was outstanding but the number one Capitals squad, even without Alexander Ovechkin, was too powerful, taking advantage of Habs mistakes.

For a complete game recap: Coach Out of Answers Following Habs Loss

Players to watch

  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    It appears that Kotkaniemi will be a healthy scratch against the Sabres. Given that the Canadiens are on their way to missing the playoffs, younger players should be getting more minutes and responsibility rather than sitting in the press box.
  • Brendan Gallagher
    Gallagher is expected to return to the lineup after missing considerable time with concussion symptoms. Gallagher was injured on New Year’s Eve against Carolina.
  • Marco Scandella
    Scandella will face the Sabres for the first time since the January 2nd trade from Buffalo. Scandella recorded his first point in a Canadiens jersey against the Capitals.

Keys to Victory

  • Be disciplined
    The Habs penalty-kill continues to struggle this season without any fix from the coaching staff. The best way to cover this liability is to stay out of the penalty box. 
  • Get a good start
    With both teams coming off losses earlier in the week, it will be important for the Habs to come out flying and get a lead. 
  • Create traffic
    The Habs will face Carter Hutton in goal for the Sabres. Hutton has struggled this season. His last win came on October 22nd against the Sharks.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY | January 30, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, MSG-B, ESPN+

2019-20 statistics
SABRES CANADIENS
51 (23th) Points (rank) 51 (24th)
22-21-7 Record 22-22-7
14-7-3 Home/Away 12-9-3
5-5-0 Last 10 4-5-1
2.92 GF/G 3.02
3.12 GA/G 3.14
19.3 PP% 20.1
74.0 PK% 78.7
49.22  CF%  53.73
Pre-game quotes
Marco Scandella
  • “It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be competitive. I’m sure everyone’s going to want to say, ‘Hi.’ It’s an important game for both teams, so we’ve got to come in ready, and that’s what I’m focusing on.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs staff
Forwards
Girgensons – Eichel – Reinhart
Skinner – Johansson – Frolik
Vesey – Lazar – Okposo
Sheary – Larsson – Miller		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Kovalchuk – Suzuki – Armia
Lehkonen – Domi – Poehling
Cousins – Thompson – Weise
Defensemen
Pilut – Ristolainen
Dahlin – Montour
 McCabe – Jokiharju		 Chiarot – Weber
Scandella – Petry
Mete – Kulak
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Rodrigues, Bogosian
Injured: Ullmark, Olofsson, Sobotka, Thompson
 Scratched: Weal, Fleury, Kotkaniemi
Injured: Drouin, Byron
Goalies
Carter Hutton Carey Price
Record: 6-7-4
GAA: – 3.31
Sv%: – .892
SO: 2
Alternate: Jonas Johansson		 Record: 20-17-4
GAA: – 2.85
Sv%: – .909
SO: 2
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 What to Expect 
The Habs and Sabres are both in the bottom third of the standings, each with 51 points (although Buffalo has a game in hand.) Both teams are on track to miss the playoffs, with a 1-3 percent chance of making the post-season. With pre-deadline trade talk swirling, tonight’s game is an opportunity to showcase players who have the potential to help Cup contenders. The Canadiens will get a big boost as Brendan Gallagher will return to the lineup taking his place on the top line. Even though the odds are slightly favoring the Sabres, the Canadiens still have a great chance to win this game.
Quick Links from Rocket Sports Media publications
 
 
 
 
 
Tickets
   
   
Get Habs Tickets  
  • Need tickets for an upcoming Canadiens game? Click the following link for the best prices on available tickets: Montreal Canadiens Tickets

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

Exit mobile version