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GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Wild: Habs Seek Third Straight Win

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 5  STL 2  F   An innocent looking shot from the blueline six seconds into the second period that got past Jake Allen was the turning point. Brendan Gallagher proved good things happen when you put the puck on net. The Habs got up and defended well for their second win against the Blues in just over a week. Nick Suzuki scored in his second straight game and Carey Price was outstanding.

For a complete game recap: Habs Win Back-to-Back First Time This Season

Players to watch

  • Brendan Gallagher
    Gallagher needs just one point to get to the 300-point plateau for his career.  He has four goals and four assists this season for eight points.
  • Paul Byron
    Byron needs to keep it simple, he’s been fighting the puck a bit but if he uses his speed like we know he can he’ll get his chances.
  • Keith Kinkaid
    Kinkaid has not looked strong in the pre-season and in his first start. Today is a chance for him to show that the work with Stephane Waite is paying off. He should expect a lot of traffic but the Habs need to do their part to let him do his job.

Keys to Victory

  • Score early
    The confidence of Minnesota and their goaltender are extremely low. The Wild are going to be aggressive and the Habs will have a lot of chances to capitalize on turnovers leading to some odd man rushes for the Habs.
  • Tighten up defensively
    Keith Kinkaid has been shaky so far. Protect the house and help him to feel better about his game. The last place Wild are going to throw everything at the Habs.
  • Deliver strong special teams
    The Canadiens special teams were good against the Blues. Keep that going against a struggling team. It’s no secret special teams is a big part of the game and if the Habs keep this up they have a chance to win every game.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN | October 20, 5:00 PM ET | TV:TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, FS-N, FS-WI

2019-20 statistics
WILD CANADIENS
2 (31st) Points (rank) 10 (11th)
1-6-0 Record 4-2-2
0-1-0 Home/Away 2-0-2
1-6-0 Last 10 4-2-2
2.00 GF/G 3.75
4.14 GA/G 3.13
12.0 PP% 25.8
77.8 PK% 73.1
49.41  CF% 52.01
Pre-game quotes
Brendan Gallagher
  • “We believe in each other as a good team. When we play like we know we can, we can go into any building and win. Obviously, it takes a lot of work, it takes a lot of effort, but this team is capable of a lot. Hopefully, we’re just getting started.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Parise – Koivu – Zucker
Greenway – Staal – Fiala
 Mayhew – Donato – Kunin
Foligno – Dumont – Hartman		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Domi – Byron
Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Weal
Cousins – Thompson – Suzuki
Defensemen
Suter – Spurgeon
Brodin – Dumba
Seeler – Hunt		 Mete – Weber
Kulak – Petry
Chiarot – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Soucy
Injured: Pateryn, Zuccarello, Eriksson Ek, Rask
 Scratched: Reilly, Folin 
Injured: Armia
Goalies
Devan Dubnyk Keith Kinkaid
Record: 0-5-0
GAA: – 4.43
Sv%: – .867
SO: 0
Alternate: Alex Stalock		 Record: 0-0-1
GAA: – 4.93
Sv%: – .872
SO: 0
Alternate: Carey Price
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens are on the second half of a back-to-back. They must maintain their speed and energy against a weak opponent. Two wins on this mini road trip would go a long way to make up for an unimpressive start by the Habs. Two teams going separate ways in the standings could be trouble. The Wild are going to be desperate, emotions are high in Minnesota and something’s going to break. The Habs are on a bit of a roll and if they keep it up they could start climbing in the standings
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