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Hands Full for Habs | PREVIEW: BOS @ MTL

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The game looked to be going exactly as expected as the Habs found themselves down 2-0 early to a far better team. However, the Habs battled back. Rem Pitlick was the hero in overtime beating the Leafs netminder cleanly. It was an inspiring win as the depleted Habs didn’t give up once down giving the fans something to cheer about.

Last game: MTL 3  TOR 2  F/OT

For a complete game recap: Habs Shock Leafs | RECAP: TOR @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Rem Pitlick
    The hero of last game should get a long stint in the NHL as the Habs are beat up. Pitlick is no stranger to the NHL and has the offensive talent for it, but it is his defensive game that has him put in the minors. Pitlick cheats on offense and is an extremely high risk – high reward type of player.
  • Mike Matheson
    There has been an unexpected edge in Matheson’s game since he has returned to the lineup. The veteran defenceman at 28 hasn’t had the warm welcoming season as a member of the Habs but this season has been hard on many. The remainder of the season should be a real look at the type of player Matheson will be for the next few years..
  • Sam Montembeault
    The Habs are winning games they shouldn’t. Montembeault has been tested often and has started to show his true potential. There are still bad goals he needs to clean up and bad games but he is giving his team a chance at winning more often than not.

Keys to Victory

  • Stay determined
    After being down, the Habs played a very determined game to get back in it which is exactly what they will need to do against an experienced Bruins team who sit at the top of the standings.
  • Execute the plan
    If the Habs are not careful the Bruins are going to show why they are the top team in the league. The Habs have to execute their game plan in all three ends of the ice.
  • Use speed
    The Bruins come in waves and the Habs have to be ready. Using their speed will be key to survive against the league’s top team.
Statistical Matchup for Game 48
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 24, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, NESN

2022-23  statistics
BRUINS CANADIENS
78 (1st) Points (rank) 43 (26th)
37-5-4 Record 20-24-3
W5 Streak L1
9-1-0 Last 10 5-5-0
3.80 (1st) GF/G (rank) 2.57 (28th)
2.02 (1st) GA/G (rank) 3.64 (28th)
27.0 (3rd) PP% (rank) 15.0 (32nd)
87.1 (1st) PK% (rank) 74.0 (26th)
55.9  Faceoff % 49.6
Pre-game Quotes
Michael Pezzetta
  • “It’s been tough being out of the lineup and missing a lot of games at the beginning of the season. Now, I have an opportunity to catch my stride. I’ve played the most minutes I’ve played in my NHL career the past three games in a row and it’s a lot more fun when you’re playing more and helping the team win.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Marchand – Bergeron – Smith
Zacha – Krejci – Pastrnak
Hall – Coyle – Frederic
Foligno – Koppanen – Greer		 Pitlick – Suzuki – Anderson
Hoffman – Dach – Ylonen
Dvorak – Dadonov
Pezzetta – Belzile – Harvey-Pinard
Defensemen
Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Lindholm – Carlo
Forbort – Clifton		 Matheson – Savard
Edmundson – Barron
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: DeBrusk, Nosek		 Scratched: Wideman
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Guhle (lower-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Allen (upper-body), Evans (lower-body), Armia (upper-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Drouin (upper-body), Caufield (shoulder)
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman Sam Montembeault
Record: 11-3-3
GAA: 2.26
Sv%: .916
SO: 1
Alternate: Linus Ullmark		 Record: 10-8-2
GAA: 3.15
Sv%: .911
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The perfect storm is coming for the Habs. After a week where the Habs beat some teams they weren’t expected to while battling with a number of injuries the Habs biggest rival comes to town. The Bruins have been the top team in the league and are a very deep team that do not take nights off. This is going to be a battle for the Habs and just keeping it a close game will be difficult.

Bottom Line

Not getting blown out or pushed around by the Bruins is what you will want to see from the Habs tonight even if the score doesn’t go their way.
 Video Highlights

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