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

Game Preview by Sam Gerber

Last game : MTL 1 PIT 4 F Key decisions and mistakes cost the Habs once again as they gave up three goals in the second period to Pittsburgh. Newly-acquired Penguin Jason Zucker scored twice. Tomas Tatar got the lone goal for Montreal.

For a complete game recap: Habs Running Out of Racetrack

Players to watch

Marco Scandella
Scandella is a pending unrestricted free agent and one of three of the most likely Habs players to be moved before the trade deadline. Scandella has had some positive moments but it is becoming clear why he was not playing in Buffalo.
Ilya Kovalchuk
Kovalchuk had a team high eight shots against the Penguins but has scored just once in eight games in February. With just nine days until the deadline, Kovalchuk is also one of the players most likely to be traded.
Nate Thompson
Thompson is valued for his faceoff ability, his leadership in the room and is a favourite of coach Julien. But given his struggles offensively and defensively, Thompson is a prime candidate to be wearing a new jersey by the deadline.

Keys to Victory

Start strong
The Habs have to keep the game close and playing with a lead would be even better.
Play with intensity
Montreal was dominated in consecutive games by the Bruins and Penguins. They need to show more passion for the game playing in front of their home fans.
Make better shot choices
The Habs have been getting lots of shots but few scoring chances. They need to be willing to go to the net regularly and hope that they get a bounce.

Statistical Matchup by All Habs
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC \| February 15, 7:00 PM ET \| TV: SNE, CITY, TVAS, FS-SW
	2019-20 statistics
STARS	2019-20 statistics	CANADIENS
71 (8th)	Points (rank)	61 (23rd)
33-19-5	Record	27-26-7
16-10-3	Away/Home	13-15-4
6-3-1	Last 10	5-5-0
2.67	GF/G	2.95
2.49	GA/G	3.05
20.5	PP%	18.8
81.5	PK%	79.1
49.08	CF%	54.10

Pre-game quotes
Claude Julien “At the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: We’re going to have to get on a really good winning streak if we plan on getting back into this hunt.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders by All Habs
Forwards
Hintz – Seguin – Perry Benn – Dickinson – Gurianov Cogliano – Faksa – Comeau Janmark – Pavelski – Robertson	Tatar – Danault – Gallagher Lehkonen – Suzuki – Kovalchuk Drouin – Domi – Armia Cousins – Evans – Weise
Defensemen
Lindell – Klingberg Heiskanen – Johns Oleksiak – Sekera	Chiarot – Mete Scandella – Petry Kulak – Ouellet
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Polak, Kiviranta, Fedun Injured: Hanzal, Radulov	Scratched: Folin, Weal, Thompson (flu) Injured: Weber, Byron
Goalies
Ben Bishop	Carey Price

Record: 19-12-4 GAA: – 2.37 Sv%: – .924 SO: 2 Alternate: Anton Khudobin	Record: 24-21-4 GAA: – 2.71 Sv%: – .912 SO: 3 Alternate: Charlie Lindgren

What to Expect by Sam Gerber

The Stars are 10 points up on Montreal and are on a three-game win streak. The Habs have lost three straight. It’s not going to be an easy game but if the Habs can stay focused and have a good start there’s no reason they can’t win.

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

2019-20 statistics