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GAME PREVIEW | Sharks – Canadiens: Habs Expect to Welcome Back Armia, Tatar

Rick Stephens

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

Game Preview
Last game : MTL 3  MIN 4  F   The Canadiens did not play a smart game against a desperate team. Needless penalties and some shaky goaltending contributed to the loss.

For a complete game recap: Habs Fall to Desperate Team

Players to watch

  • Artturi Lehkonen
    The unfairly maligned Lehkonen has had a strong start to the season particularly in his offensive contribution where he has generated the second most primary points, at five-on-five.
  • Joel Armia
    Armia is expected to play and will play with Jonathan Drouin and Max Domi. Armia will be expected to continue his strong start to the season. Domi has a six game point streak. Drouin has struggled to generate points 5-on-5.
  • Phillip Danault
    Danault has struggled with what is supposed to be his calling card, the defensive game, this season. His team worst goals against per 60 for forwards must improve as well as being better on the penalty-kill.

Keys to Victory

  • Play 60 minutes
    With significant holes left unfilled in the lineup, it is necessary for the Habs to deliver a full game effort regardless of the opponent.
  • Be smart
    Whether it is clearing the puck in their own zone, making line changes or staying disciplined in the offensive zone, the Canadiens need to make smart decisions.
  • Stifle key players
    Despite their record, the Sharks have quality players who change the course of a contest. Karlsson has a five game point streak with one goal and six assists.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 24, 7:00 PM ET | TV:TSN2, RDS, NBCSCA

2019-20 statistics
SHARKS CANADIENS
7 (24th) Points (rank) 10 (19th)
3-5-1 Record 4-3-2
1-3-1 Away/Home 2-2-0
3-5-1 Last 10 4-3-2
2.67 GF/G 3.67
3.56 GA/G 3.22
21.9 PP% 27.3
90.6 PK% 71.0
51.22  CF% 50.59
Pre-game quotes
Nate Thompson
  • “They have a combination of size and skill, and they have some guys that can really put the puck in the net. They have some guys that can wear you down so it’s a little bit of everything and we have to make sure we’re playing our game tonight.”

Claude Julien

  • “Tatar should play. He skated this morning a little bit, and he feels good. I don’t see a problem there, but we’ll make a decision later to make sure everything is good. It’s the same with Armia. He feels good. The chances are really good that both guys are in the lineup tonight.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Meier – Couture – Marleau
Kane – Hertl – Labanc
Goodrow – Thornton – Gregor
Sorensen – Gambrell – Karlsson		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Drouin – Domi – Armia
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Byron
Cousins – Thompson – Suzuki
Defensemen
Vlasic – Burns
Dillon – Karlsson
Ferraro – Heed		 Mete – Weber
Kulak – Petry
Chiarot – Fleury
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Radil, Brodzinski, Carrick
Injured: Simek, Prout, Middleton
 Scratched: Reilly, Folin, Weal
Injured: 
Goalies
Aaron Dell Carey Price
Record: 1-1-0
GAA: – 3.48
Sv%: – .884
SO: 0
Alternate: Martin Jones		 Record: 4-2-1
GAA: – 2.68
Sv%: – .912
SO: 1
Alternate: Keith Kinkaid
 What to Expect
The Sharks are off to a tough start to the season ranking 21st in the NHL in goals for per game and 26th in the league in goals against. But earlier this week, the Sharks played the Buffalo Sabres, the top team in the league, to a tie after 60 minutes before losing in overtime. The Sharks will be another desperate opponent and the Canadiens should take a lesson from their performance against the Wild. They must start well and use the emotion of the Bell Centre to deflate the Sharks. 
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