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Golden Knights @ Canadiens: The Toughest Test | HABS GAME 6 PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Vegas Golden Knights: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets, NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series

Game Preview

A Look Back

It was one of the best games the Habs have played in the playoffs which featured a 60-minute effort. The mixture of young guns and veterans were working together effectively. Vegas came out strong but the Habs shut the door early then capitalized on their chances. Vegas was frustrated all game as the Habs game plan was working.

Last game: MTL 4  VGK 1 | Canadiens lead series 3-2

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Golden Knights: Price, Suzuki Lead Habs | GAME 5 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    Kotkaniemi proved his value by putting in one his his best efforts in game five. When he’s on, there’s no second guessing in his game and his impact is felt in all zones of the ice. The Habs need that type of game from Kotkaniemi on a nightly basis.
  • Phillip Danault
    Danault continues to struggle offensively and at the faceoff dot while shorthanded. While he is being credited for his checking role, Danault needs to chip in offensively particularly since he is Montreal’s most used forward in the playoffs.
  • Ben Chiarot 
    Chiarot has been one of the unsung heros for the Habs. His play isn’t pretty, but he has been the most physical of all the Habs defencemen. Chairot has played the most minutes (with Shea Weber a very close second), blocked more shots and is second on the team in hits.

Keys to Victory

  • Get to the blue paint
    Attacking the net early and often will be key. Getting under Robin Lehner’s skin taking their focus off the game is exactly what the Habs need to do.
  • Maintain composure
    It will be impossible to match the desperation Vegas will have but if the Habs can keep their composure it will be key to countering it. The Habs were very disciplined last game and they will need to do that again especially when Vegas comes out strong.
  • Limit turnovers
    It has been shocking that the Habs have been winning the turnover game, with it being a big part of how they are playing right now. Continuous pressure on the puck carrier has resulted in turnovers springing the Habs the other way where they can do  damage.
Statistical Matchup for Round 3, Game 6
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | June 24, 8:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, USA

2020-21 Playoff statistics
GOLDEN KNIGHTS CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
10-8 Record 11-5
– Last 10 –
9.8 (16th) PP% (rank) 20.0 (8th)
72.2 (12th) PK% (rank) 93.2 (1st)
53.5 Faceoff% 49.3
2.83 GF/G 2.50
2.39 GA/G 2.19
54.28  CF% 48.36
Pre-game Quotes
Luke Richardson
  • “It’s never easy to close out a series. There’s obviously going to be the most desperation that you’re going to face from the other team. We’ve gone through that, and it hasn’t been easy. The other teams push right to the end. That’s what you expect. We would do the same if we were down. We did that in the first series when we were down. All those lessons along the way are just adding to our experience, especially for our younger players. The older players that have been through it before, they know how tough it is, so they’re helping to guide those young guys through it. We’re hopefully getting stronger in that area and it’ll show tonight.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Pacioretty – Stephenson – Stone
Marchessault – Karlsson – Smith
Tuch – Roy – Janmark
Carrier – Nosek – Kolesar		 Lehkonen – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Suzuki – Caufield
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Anderson
Perry – Staal – Armia
Defensemen
Martinez – Pietrangelo
McNabb – Theodore
Holden – Whitecloud		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Gustafsson – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Coghlan, Hague, Reaves, Brown
Injured:		 Scratched: Frolik, Lindgren, Tatar, Ouellet, Kulak, Romanov
Injured: Evans (concussion), Drouin (undisclosed)
COVID protocol: Ducharme
Goalies
Robin Lehner Carey Price
Record: 1-1
GAA: 3.97
Sv%: .877
SO: 0
Alternate: Marc-Andre Fleury		 Record: 11-5
GAA: 2.02
Sv%: .933
SO: 1
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Habs are one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals. One game at a time is also exactly how Vegas is looking at it. They know their backs are against the wall but they know if they win tonight anything can happen in a game seven. The Golden Knights forwards have yet to truly show up in the series which should concern the Habs. The combination of youth with veteran leadership has done wonders for this team and they are not done yet. Every line is playing great and stepping up when they need to and that is exactly the kind of game the Habs want to play.

Bottom Line

It’s no secret how important scoring first is, but the Habs odds jump tremendously when they score more than two goals. Finishing will be the key once again for the Habs as Vegas is going to go down swinging.
 Video Highlights

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