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GAME PREVIEW | Devils – Canadiens: Habs First Test After the Break

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 2  ARI 1   The Habs played a decent game and were able to go in to break with a win. Carey Price and Joel Armia were very strong. The Canadiens scored a power-play goal and the defense was not only solid but provided some offense as well. The Habs come out of the break holding a wild card spot. 

For a complete game recap: Price, Armia Power Habs to Victory

Players to watch

  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    Kotkaniemi is having a great rookie season. For a player not used to this work load, he hasn’t looked tired or out of place. The break for him should give a jump the rest of the season and he could start finding his scoring touch a bit more.  
  • Shea Weber 
    Weber came back earlier than expected from knee surgery and didn’t skip a beat, getting some time off will definitely recoup his energy to make one final push this season. 
  • Jonathan Drouin
    Drouin is just 10 points away from achieving his career best. He will be one of the key pieces to help Montreal make the playoffs. But his selfish game and inconsistent play have to be a thing of the past for the Habs to compete. 

Keys to Victory

  • Be ready
    The Devils have already played two games this week and should be the better team from the start. The Habs need to be ready and not be surprised by the jump from the Devils.
  • Use your energy
    The Habs have to be the faster team out there. With time off the Habs should be well rested.
  • Win special teams
    The Habs special teams started to improve before the break and it will be a much bigger factor for the remaining 31 games .
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 2, 2:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, MSG+

2018-19 statistics
DEVILS CANADIENS
45 (27th) Points (rank) 61 (10th)
19-24-7 Record 28-18-5
6-17-3 Away/Home 14-10-2
3-7-0 Last 10 6-4-0
2.96 GF/G 2.98
3.38 GA/G 2.92
19.1 PP% 13.0
83.9 PK% 79.5
48.28  CF%  53.71
 
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Johansson – Hischier – Palmieri
Wood – Coleman – Bratt
Seney – Zacha – Gabriel
Boyle – Rooney – Stafford		 Drouin – Danault – Gallagher
Tatar – Domi – Byron
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Hudon – Peca – Deslauriers
Defensemen
 Greene – Severson
Butcher – Mueller
 Yakovlev – Santini		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Gryba
Injured: Schneider, Hall, Lovejoy, Vatanen, Zajac, Anderson, Noesen
 Scratched: Agostino, Chaput
Injured: Shaw
Goalies
MacKenzie Blackwood Antti Niemi
Record: 5-4-0
GAA: – 2.41
Sv%: – .924
SO: 2
Alternate: Keith Kincaid		 Record: 8-5-1
GAA: – 3.66
Sv%: – .894
SO: 0
Alternate: Michael McNiven
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens may be the betting favorites to win but the Devils have had the Habs number all season. Antti Niemi will get the start and needs a strong effort. The Habs need to play the final 31 games one game at a time but it’s not to look at the schedule knowing the Habs need to win this one. The next eight games for Montreal could make or break their season, they will play some of the top teams in a row followed by a back to back in Florida. For the Habs to stay in a good position in the playoffs they need win at least five. It will be a tall task but if the Habs have a bad stretch they could find themselves a bubble team again.
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