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GAME PREVIEW | Oilers – Canadiens: Price Returns on Super Bowl Sunday

Rick Stephens

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

Game Preview 
Last game : MTL 2  NJD 3 (OT)  Riding a winning streak, the Habs clearly underestimated their opponent. Despite having a huge shot advantage in the first period, the Canadiens did not bear down and take advantage of their chances. Once they feel behind, Montreal  It’s a game that the team should move on from but not forget as those two points could become a factor in April.

For a complete game recap: Habs Let One Slip to Open Homestand

Players to watch

  • Carey Price
    Price returns to the lineup after serving a suspension for missing the All-Star Game at the request of the Canadiens. Price was named Molson Cup winner for the month of January with two shutouts, a goals against average of 1.51 and a save percentage of .953.
  • Joel Armia
    Armia has been dominant since his return from injury. Armia along with linemates Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen, were the Canadiens best trip against the Devils.    
  • Victor Mete
    Mete was beat by Nico Hischier for the Devils winning goal in overtime. It will be interesting to see how Mete rebounds after being victimized last game. 

Keys to Victory

  • Stop the threat
    It’s easier said than done to stop Connor McDavid. In scoring his 30th goal of the season, McDavid beat all five Flyers on the ice on Saturday. McDavid has 26 points in his last 16 games.
  • Score first
    Both teams will be playing the second game of a back-to-back and both teams lost in overtime on Saturday. The Oilers were frustrated after leading most of the game against the Flyers. Best to get to them early.
  • Win special teams
    The Flyers went 4-for-5 on the power-play against the Oilers. The Canadiens can take the opportunity to get their sputtering power-play going and take advantage of the Oilers lack of discipline.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 3, 2:00 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS, ESPN+

2018-19 statistics
OILERS CANADIENS
50 (26th) Points (rank) 62 (10th)
23-24-4 Record 28-18-6
11-11-3 Away/Home 14-10-3
4-5-1 Last 10 6-3-1
2.84 GF/G 2.96
3.29 GA/G 2.92
20.7 PP% 12.8
75.5 PK% 79.3
48.37  CF%  53.71
 
 
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Lucic – McDavid – Rattie
Rieder – Draisaitl – Chiasson
Khaira – Nugent-Hopkins – Kassian
Cave – Brodziak – Puljujarvi		 Drouin – Danault – Gallagher
Tatar – Domi – Byron
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Hudon – Peca – Deslauriers
Defensemen
 Nurse – Russell
Gravel – Larsson
 Manning – Benning		 Mete – Weber
Reilly – Petry
   Kulak – Benn
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Petrovic, Malone
Injured: Sekera, Klefbom
 Scratched: Agostino, Alzner, Chaput
Injured: Shaw
Goalies
Mikko Koskinen Carey Price
Record: 14-11-1
GAA: – 2.79
Sv%: – .910
SO: 3
Alternate: Cam Talbot		 Record: 20-13-4
GAA: – 2.56
Sv%: – .915
SO: 3
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect 
Carey Price will be back in goal after Antti Niemi struggled against the New Jersey Devils. Price is unbeaten in his last four starts with a 1.00 goals against average and a .971 save percentage. The Canadiens must get production from their top two lines after the Habs scoring just six goals in their past three games. The Bell Centre will be filled with young fans for the matinee contest on the second game of family weekend.
Highlights from the NHL
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Tickets
   
   
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