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GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Sharks: Niemi Gets Rare Start for Habs

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 3  LAK 1    The Canadiens played a complete game, limiting the Kings to under thirty shots. Brendan Gallagher got the Habs on the board early netting his 30th goal of the year. Jordan Weal scored mid-way through the second to put the Habs up by two. Shea Weber blasted one in the opening minute of the third to put the game out of reach. Carey Price earned his 314th win tying Jacques Plante for the most wins as a member of the Habs. 

For a complete game recap: 

Players to watch

  • Jordan Weal
    Weal was strong in his first game and easily could have had a few goals. With a crowded bottom six, Weal will have to continue his strong play to stay in the lineup.
  • Tomas Tatar
    Tatar is the gift that keeps on giving. He is less than ten points away from a career high. His depth in the top six has been a difference maker for the Habs and will be needed tonight.    
  • Shea Weber
    Weber is going to be tested tonight. The Sharks are a big team that like to pin teams down. Weber will have to use his strength and positioning to help shutdown the Sharks offense.

Keys to Victory

  • Use speed
    The Habs have to use their speed and be relentless on the forecheck.
  • Execute the transition
    The Sharks don’t turn the puck over very often but if the Habs can win the transition game they should be in good hands.
  • Finish around the net
    When the Habs have a high scoring chance they have to finish. The Sharks don’t give up a lot of goals so when the Habs have a chance they have to make it count.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
SAP Center, San Jose, CA | March 7, 10:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, NBCSCA

2018-19 statistics
SHARKS CANADIENS
86 (5th) Points (rank) 79 (12th)
39-19-8 Record 36-24-7
21-5-5 Home/Away 17-13-3
6-3-1 Last 10 5-5-0
3.61 GF/G 3.01
3.08 GA/G 2.90
25.1 PP% 12.3
81.7 PK% 80.3
54.87  CF%  53.99
Pre-game quote
Claude Julien
  • “I think Carey has earned a night off. I think Niemi has worked hard. We need to lean on him tonight to get us a win.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Meier – Couture – Pavelski
Donskoi – Hertl – Nyquist
Sorenson – Thornton – Labanc
Haley – Goodrow – Karlsson		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
 Byron – Domi – Shaw
Drouin – Weal – Armia
Lehkonen – Thompson – Weise
Defensemen
 Vlasic – Heed
Simek – Burns
Dillon – Braun		 Mete – Weber
Benn – Petry
   Kulak – Folin
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Ryan, Radil, Gambrell
Injured: Karlsson, Kane
 Scratched: Reilly, Hudon, Deslauriers, Peca, Kotkaniemi
Injured: none
Goalies
Martin Jones Antti Niemi
Record: 31-13-5
GAA: – 2.93
Sv%: – .897
SO: 2
Alternate: Aaron Dell		 Record: 8-5-2
GAA: – 3.75
Sv%: – .889
SO: 0
Alternate: Carey Price
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
Getting a convincing win against the Kings got the Habs off to a great start on the road trip but this is the game the Habs aren’t expected to win. The Sharks are second in the West and score an average of 3.61 goals per game and have a power-play and penalty-kill that are ranked in the top ten in the league. The Habs average 3 goals a game but their power-play is last in the league and the penalty-kill is currently ranked 16th. If special teams become a factor the Habs will likely loose, it’s been an issue for the Habs all season.
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