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Habs in Vegas | PREVIEW: MTL @ VGK

Cole Jurzyniec

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

Jonathan Drouin was able to find his first goal of the year in 39 games played on a gimme, however, the Ducks would take exception scoring three consecutive markers, two on the powerplay. Nick Suzuki was able to pot one with 30 seconds left but was too late to form any momentum for a comeback.

Last game: MTL 2  ANA 3  F

For a complete game recap: Special Teams Fail | RECAP: MTL @ ANA

Players to Watch

  • Josh Anderson
    The 6-foot-3-inch winger has been playing a very dynamic game and is currently on a three game point streak. He continues to be a game-breaker and survived the deadline. Anderson may continue to play with a chip on his shoulder to finish the season.
  • Michael Matheson
    The former 2012 first round pick is certainly making a name for himself with the Canadiens club. He battled with an injury throughout the season but has not missed a step in his return. The 6-foot-2-inch defender has seven points in the last seven games (2G-5A).
  • Jonathan Drouin
    The Quebec native has had difficultly in the scoring department for the last two seasons. He was given a gift on Friday night and could spark some hustle in the 27-year-old winger to score more.

Keys to Victory

  • Stay out of the box
    The Canadiens need to avoid the penalty kill as it’s what delivered them a loss in Anaheim. The Golden Knights are a worthy opponent who could completely dismantle the team if given the opportunity.
  • Play shut-down hockey
    The Golden Knights have a depth team that can handle any team with ease if given the chance. The Canadiens will have to bring the defense and defend the fort.
  • Find the net
    The Knights have a dangerous goaltending tandem in Adin Hill and newly acquired Jonathan Quick. The Habs will have to keep pressing and apply offensive pressure to a tough Vegas squad to find production.
Statistical Matchup for Game 63
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV | March 5, 10:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, ATTSN-RM

2022-23  statistics
GOLDEN KNIGHTS CANADIENS
80 (6th) Points (rank) 56 (26th)
37-19-6 Record 26-32-4
W2 Streak L2
7-1-2 Last 10 5-5-0
3.15 (17th) GF/G (rank) 2.68 (27th)
2.76 (8th) GA/G (rank) 3.57 (26th)
20.6 (19th) PP% (rank) 16.5 (30th)
79.2 (17th) PK% (rank) 73.9 (28th)
52.6  Faceoff % 49.4
Pre-game 
Kent Hughes
  • “Jeff [Gorton] said he was going to tie me to my desk to prevent me from doing one trade a week!”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Barbashev – Eichel – Marchessault
Smith – Karlsson – Amadio
Cotter – Stephenson – Kessel
Howden – Blueger – Kolesar		 Harvey-Pinard – Suzuki – Gurianov
Hoffman – Drouin – Anderson
Pitlick – Dvorak – Ylonen
Pezzetta – Tierney – Belzile
Defensemen
Martinez – Pietrangelo
McNabb – Theodore
Hague – Whitecloud		 Matheson – Savard
Edmundson – Allard
Harris – Kovacevic
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Hutton
Injured: Lehner, Patrick, Brossoit, Stone, Thompson, Roy, Carrier		 Scratched: none
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Evans (lower-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Caufield (shoulder), Xhekaj (upper-body), Dach (lower-body), Wideman (upper-body), Armia (illness), Barron (upper-body), Guhle (upper-body)
Goalies
Jonathan Quick Jake Allen
Record: 11-13-4
GAA: 3.50
Sv%: .876
SO: 1
Alternate: Adin Hill		 Record: 14-19-2
GAA: 3.34
Sv%: .898
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
This game will be a test for a depleted Canadiens roster. The Knights have 12 players with more than 20 points almost double the amount of the Habs. The team will have to be wary of every line on the ice and find a way to control the pace.

Bottom Line

In a very quiet deadline, many players who were rumored to be moved, remain.  There’s no guessing what the plans may be for the future but the main focus is closing out the season on a positive note and picking up a few more wins along the way.
 Video Highlights

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