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GAME PREVIEW | Oilers – Canadiens: Habs Kovalchuk to Play 900th NHL Game

Elias Laradi

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

Game Preview by Elias Laradi
Last game : MTL 3  DET 4  F   Just when you thought the Habs were getting back into the win column they blew another third period lead. This was probably their worst performance of the season. The only highlight was Charlie Lindgren who was only playing his second game since December 31st, he made 26 saves in the loss. Ilya Kovalchuk had another solid performance getting two assists in the game. The Habs got goals from Lehkonen, Suzuki, and Victor Mete scored his third goal of the season..

For a complete game recap: Wings Take Down Habs

Players to watch

  • Artturi Lehkonen
    Lehkonen has two goals in his last two games and now has 10 goals on the season. His offense will be much needed against a team that is scoring on all cylinders. His defensive play will also help against the top two players in the league.
  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki continues to prove why he made the team this year. To date, he has eight goals and 18 assists which ranks him fourth in rookie scoring. Playing on the second line with Max Domi and Artturi Lehkonen while also playing on the power-play will help the Habs get some much needed offense.
  • Ilya Kovalchuk
    With three points in two games, Kovalchuk has been nothing but a surprise. Averaging 20 minutes a game, playing on the top line as well as the power-play has given Montreal the help it needed due to multiple injuries.  

Keys to Victory

  • Stay disciplined
    Against Detroit, the Canadiens played an undisciplined brand of hockey which cost them dearly. They will need to stay out of the penalty box especially against a team with the top goal scorers in the league and one of the best power-plays.
  • Play solid defence
    The Canadiens have allowed 13 goals in their last three games and that is not a recipe for success. They will have to tighten up defensively especially against one of the highest scoring teams in the league.
  • Take control
    The Montreal Canadiens need to manage the game better. We witnessed it last game when the Habs were up 2-1 and lost the game. They will need to have a fast start and keep their foot on the gas.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 9, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, SNW

2019-20 statistics
OILERS CANADIENS
51 (15th) Points (rank) 43 (25th)
23-17-5 Record 18-19-7
13-9-2 Away/Home 8-10-4
5-4-1 Last 10 2-7-1
3.00 GF/G 3.11
3.13 GA/G 3.23
29.2 PP% 21.7
83.0 PK% 77.7
47.49  CF% 53.79
Pre-game quotes
Brendan Gallagher
  • “This is a group that, whatever we’re going to go through, we’re going to be resilient. We’re going to search for results, search for answers, and at this point, we’ve just got to find it.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Neal – McDavid – Kassian
Nugent-Hopkins – Draisaitl – Yamamoto
Gagner – Haas – Chiasson
Nygard – Sheahan – Archibald		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Kovalchuk – Domi – Suzuki
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Cousins  
Poehling – Thompson – Weal
Defensemen
Klefbom – Larsson
Nurse – Bear
Russell – Jones		 Scandella – Weber
Kulak – Petry
Mete – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Russell, Lagesson, Khaira
Injured: Benning
 Scratched: Weise
Injured: Drouin, Byron, Peca, Armia, Chiarot
Goalies
Mike Smith Carey Price
Record: 9-9-3
GAA: – 3.05
Sv%: – .897
SO: 1
Alternate: Mikko Koskinen		 Record: 16-15-4
GAA: – 3.00
Sv%: – .902
SO: 1
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 What to Expect by Elias Laradi
The Montreal Canadiens come home to the friendly confines of the Bell Centre to face a high-octane offense in the Edmonton Oilers. If this game goes like I think it will play out this game most likely will become a shootout. Edmonton is coming off a huge win vs the Leafs in Toronto and Montreal will have to weather the storm that is Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl if they want any chance of winning.
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