GAME PREVIEW | Rangers – Canadiens: Price To Make 11th Straight Start for Habs
Sam Gerber
GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets
Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 3 VAN 4 F/OT The Canucks power-play was too much for the Habs penalty-kill. Paul Byron, Shea Weber and Jordan Weal all scored for the Habs while Carey Price was solid, making four brilliant saves in overtime. Montreal failed to get any shots in overtime and Max Domi missed an opportunity to clear the puck which led to Vancouver’s overtime goal.
Nick Suzuki
Suzuki has been held pointless the last few games but has been playing good hockey and the points will come.
Max Domi
There’s the good and the bad with Domi. He had two assists against Vancouver but made a mistake that led to the Cancuks scoring the game-winner. He is a fan favorite but as an RFA, Domi may be a candidate to move in the off-season.
Carey Price
Until the Habs are mathematical eliminated, they will continue to start Carey Price and hang onto the small chance of playoffs. It’s not the best idea but Price definitely wants to be in net and it’s hard to tell him ‘no.’
Keys to Victory
Play physical
The Rangers are very aggressive and like to stand up at the blue line. The Habs will have to keep their heads on a swivel and be ready.
Win special teams
The Habs lost the special teams battle against Vancouver and they will have to do a much better job against the Rangers who have the seventh best power-play in the league.
Keep it close The Habs have done well most of the year keeping games close. Unfortunately they have had weak third periods. Hopefully down the finally stretch they can win the close games.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 27, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, MSG2
2019-20 statistics
RANGERS
CANADIENS
72 (16th)
Points (rank)
67 (23rd)
34-24-4
Record
29-27-9
17-11-2
Away/Home
13-15-6
8-2-0
Last 10
4-4-2
3.32
GF/G
2.97
3.05
GA/G
3.05
22.8
PP%
19.2
79.2
PK%
78.7
46.48
CF%
54.23
Pre-game quotes
Nick Suzuki
“Obviously that’s a good team coming in. They’ve got a lot of talented players and it’s going to be our job to not give them too much. We’ve had good starts at home, we’re just going to have to play a full 60 (minutes).”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Kreider – Zibanejad – Chytil
Panarin – Strome – Fast
Di Giuseppe – Howden – Kakko
Lemieux – McKegg – Gauthier
Record: 15-12-1 GAA: – 2.98 Sv%: – .913 SO: 2 Alternate: Henrik Lundqvist
Record: 26-22-6 GAA: – 2.73 Sv%: – .911 SO: 4 Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
What to Expect by Sam Gerber
While the Habs are struggling to stay alive the Rangers are chasing a final wild card spot. Original six matchups always are exciting and the Habs get a chance to play spoilers. A quick comparison from SBD’s hockey odds shows that Montreal is about a -131 favorite. Expect a close game right to the end but remember that with the history between Chris Krieder and Carey Price, this game won’t need much to get chippy.
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