Site icon Habs Hockey Report

Hoffman Returns | PREVIEW: LAK @ MTL

Cole Jurzyniec

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

Montreal Canadiens vs Los Angeles Kings Game Day
Game Preview 

A Look Back

It was a highly anticipated matchup between the two former 2022 first round picks. Shane Wright found mesh to find his first of his NHL career while Juraj Slafkovsky assist ed on a Josh Anderson goal. It was a night of firsts as Johnathan Kovacevic scored the first goal of his NHL career. The Canadiens caught fire in the second period and were able to score back-to-back goals just seven seconds apart to finish off their western tour with a win.

Last game: MTL 4  SEA 2  F

For a complete game recap: Holding On For a ‘W’ | RECAP: MTL @ SEA

Players to Watch

  • Josh Anderson
    The Burlington native has been linked to multiple trade rumors. The trade deadline is months away yet but Anderson could be a key piece to move out to gain a favorable return. With two goals in the last two games, this is a great start to improving his cost.
  • Cole Caufield
    The 21-year-old Wisconsin product continues to dominate in the scoring department, he netted his 15th goal in Seattle and is currently tied for 10th in league scoring. It’s Caufield’s third season with the club and each year has been progressing. The winger hasn’t reached his plateau yet and with a reinvigorated team in the years to come, he could possibly reach new heights.
  • Johnathan Kovacevic
    The dependable defenseman has been playing very consistent through 23 games played. The ex-Jet, who was claimed off waivers early October, now leads the team with a plus-5 rating. He was able to pot a goal against the Kraken December 6th and could spark some confidence in the young defender.

Keys to Victory

  • Get secondary scoring
    Out of the 10 goals scored in the last two games, seven came from lines other than the primary. This takes pressure off of Suzuki and Caufield and allows for more opportunity.  Continue to shoot the puck and maximize pressure.
  • Win penalty-kill
    The LA Kings have a strong powerplay this season with a 25.5 percent success rate. The Canadiens need to first avoid poor penalties but continue their stellar penalty-killing abilities when push comes to shove.
  • Control the pace
    The Canadiens need to find a way to dictate the speed of this matchup early. The Kings have incredible depth up-front so finding a way to control the pace and having the ability to play shut-down hockey will be key factors in a home game victory.
Statistical Matchup for Game 27
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | December 10, 7:00 PM ET | TV: NHLN, CITY, SNE, TVAS, BSW

2022-23  statistics
KINGS CANADIENS
32 (14th) Points (rank) 28 (21st)
14-11-4 Record 13-11-2
L1 Streak W1
3-4-3 Last 10 5-4-1
3.31 (12th) GF/G (rank) 2.96 (24th)
3.59 (26th) GA/G (rank) 3.54 (23rd)
25.5 (8th) PP% (rank) 16.2 (30th)
71.9 (26th) PK% (rank) 79.8 (11th)
52.3  Faceoff % 51.6
Pre-game Quotes
Marty St. Louis on Nick Suzuki
  • “Suzy has similarities with many players, but he has his own personality on the ice. He loves having the platform to make a difference. It is a rare quality in a young person. Sometimes guys are afraid to fail instead of hungry for success. He is hungry for success.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Fiala – Kopitar – Kaliyev
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Vilardi – Kempe
Anderson-Dolan – Lizotte – Grundstrom		 Caufield – Suzuki – Anderson
Slafkovsky – Dach  – Hoffman
Dadonov – Dvorak – Armia
Pezzetta – Evans – Pitlick
Defensemen
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Walker		 Edmundson – Guhle
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Fagemo, Bjornfot
Injured: Lemieux		 Scratched: none
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Drouin (upper-body), Matheson (undisclosed), Gallagher (lower-body), Savard (upper-body injury), Monahan (lower-body)
Goalies
Phoenix Copley Jake Allen
Record: 1-0-0
GAA: 2.00
Sv%: .939
SO: 0
Alternate: Jonathan Quick		 Record: 8-9-0
GAA: 3.42
Sv%: .895
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
Phillip Danault will step foot in the Bell Centre once again. Though it is not the first time he’s been back in a different colored jersey, nonetheless the emotions will be running high. I would expect an energetic bout with fast, fluid transitional hockey, defenders will have to keep their heads on a swivel.

Bottom Line

The Canadiens snuck out of the western tour with five out of eight possible points.    There’s no telling where they’ll end up in the standings by the end of the season, but for now, allowing the young players to get their reps in is necessary for the development of this team moving forward.
 Video Highlights

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

Exit mobile version