GAME PREVIEW | Ducks – Canadiens: Price Looking For Sixth Straight Win
Sam Gerber
GAME DAY | Ducks – Canadiens: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Tickets
Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 4 EDM 3 (OT) An exciting comeback win started by Jeperi Kotkaniemi who took advantage of some extra shifts and was later capped of by Jonathan Drouin scoring the overtime winner. The Habs earned three of a possibly four points over Super Bowl weekend to keep them in the playoff race.
Max Domi
Domi can be an impact player but often lets his emotions get the better of him. As Claude Julien said on the weekend, players like Domi need to realize that they are not only hurting themselves but hurting the team. Domi needs to focus on the job at hand.
Joel Armia
Armia, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen have been the Canadiens best line since the return from the bye week. Armia is strong on the forecheck and great at puck recovery. He creates chances for himself and his linemates.
Victor Mete
Mete left last game early after taking an awkward hit from Milan Lucic and going head first into the boards. Fortunately, he was able to return to action. Mete has been caught trying to force the puck up the ice on his own a little too much and should be more cautious and make better decisions.
Keys to Victory
Use speed
The Canadiens know they’re the faster team and need to use it. The Ducks are on the second of a back-to-back and energy will be at a premium.
Execute zone entries
The Habs zone entries haven’t been great of late resulting in being stymied at the blue line or committing turnovers. If they can enter the zone with possession Montreal will generate higher quality scoring chances .
Win special teams The Montreal power-play has been a little better lately. The penalty-kill hasn’t been as great and needs to be sharper. Leaving the most dangerous players wide open a few feet from the net should not happen.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 5, 7:30 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS, KCOP-13
2018-19 statistics
DUCKS
CANADIENS
51 (25th)
Points (rank)
64 (8th)
21-23-9
Record
29-18-6
11-15-1
Away/Home
15-10-3
2-6-2
Last 10
7-2-1
2.28
GF/G
2.98
3.13
GA/G
2.92
14.3
PP%
13.1
79.2
PK%
78.6
46.54
CF%
54.05
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Rakell – Getzlaf – Perry
Rowney – Henrique – Silfverberg
Ritchie – Sprong – Grant
Shore – Kesler – Eaves
Lindholm – Manson
Fowler – Montour
Del Zotto – Holzer
Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Cracknell, Gibbons, Megna
Injured: Kase, Miller
Scratched: Alzner, Tatar
Injured: Shaw, Byron
Goalies
Chad Johnson
Carey Price
Record: 2-9-0 GAA: – 3.35 Sv%: – .886 SO: 1 Alternate: John Gibson
Record: 21-13-4 GAA: – 2.57 Sv%: – .915 SO: 3 Alternate: Antti Niemi
What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Ducks are currently on a four-game slide. They have been outscored by a combined 23-5 in those games. They now find themselves three points out of a playoff spot with five teams to vault. It appears that Anaheim will be sellers at the trade deadline and Marc Bergevin has been on their trail. Hampus Lindholm would be the most valuable target but is unlikely to be available. Cam Fowler would be a great add on defence for the Canadiens. Tonight, the Ducks are likely to be short-tempered and may become frustrated easily. If the Habs can get to them early they should be able to come away with the much needed points.