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Cole Jurzyniec

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

Canadiens vs Ducks Game Day
Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Canadiens started well as Mike Hoffman slapped a bobbling puck past Cam Talbot just one minute and 23 seconds into the game. But the Wild then scored five unanswered goals on Cayden Primeau, who was pulled after two periods. The Wild scored three more times in the third period matching their franchise record for goals.

Last game: MTL 2  MIN 8 F

For a complete game recap: ‘Put It In the Garbage’ | RECAP: MTL @ MIN

Players to Watch

  • Mike Hoffman
    Hoffman has been playing with more pep in his step contributing three goals and an assist for four points in the last six games. With the deadline seven weeks away, Hoffman is increasing his value on the trade market.
  • Rem Pitlick
    Since being acquired by the Canadiens, Pitlick has made himself comfortable and has contributed two goals and an assist in six games played. The 24-year-old forward has been versatile finding himself at centre and wing while playing up and down the lineup.
  • Ryan Poehling
    While Poehling has only two points in his last ten games, he hasn’t let the lack of quality linemates restrict his effort. Being a big body, Poehling has been a great addition to the power-play winning face-offs and going to the front of the net.

Keys to Victory

  • Play with energy
    The Canadiens should be feeling energized after a couple of days of practice and could be facing a fatigued opponent. The Ducks will be playing the second half of a back-to-back having lost in a shootout to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
  • Create offence
    The Ducks are on a roll with points in their past three games. The Canadiens will have to get off to a good start and establish a first period lead by going to the net.
  • Stay disciplined
    The Ducks are strong on special teams being one of only five teams in the league to rank top-10 in both power-play and penalty-kill. The Canadiens will want to stay out of the box and focus on keeping the game at even strength.
Statistical Matchup for Game 42
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 27, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSSC, BSSD

2021-22  statistics
DUCKS CANADIENS
49 (14th) Points (rank) 23 (32nd)
21-16-8 Record 8-26-7
OT1 Streak L1
4-5-1 Last 10 1-5-4
2.89 (19th) GF/G (rank) 2.17 (32nd)
2.80 (14th) GA/G (rank) 3.76 (32nd)
24.6 (10th) PP% (rank) 13.1 (31st)
83.5 (7th) PK%  (rank) 73.2 (30th)
49.1  Faceoff % 47.3
Pre-game Quotes
Lukas Vejdemo
  • “I think I’m a smart player. So, I try to read plays and be in the right spots, and then I’ve also used my skating to forecheck and not let them set up that easily. That’s what I usually do in Laval and that’s what I’m going to try to do here if I play P.K. too, to use my strengths.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Zegras – Getzlaf – Rakell
Comtois – Steel – Terry
Grant – Lundestrom – Silfverberg
Deslauriers – Carrick – Robinson		 Lehkonen – Suzuki – Toffoli
Pitlick – Evans – Anderson
Dauphin – Poehling – Hoffman
Pezzetta – Vejdemo – Paquette
Defensemen
Lindholm – Drysdale
Fowler – Shattenkirk
Mahura – Pateryn		 Chiarot – Savard
Kulak – Petry
Romanov – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Jones, Henrique, Milano
COVID-19: Stolarz, Manson
Taxi squad:		 Scratched: Clague
Injured: Dvorak (upper-body), Allen (lower-body), Byron (hip), Drouin (upper-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Perreault (lower-body), Edmundson (back), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID-19: Caufield, Armia
Taxi squad: McNiven
Goalies
John Gibson Cayden Primeau
Record: 14-10-7
GAA: 2.56
Sv%: .920
SO: 1
Alternate: Lukas Dostal		 Record: 1-4-1
GAA: 4.32
Sv%: .889
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The Ducks are currently in a playoff position occupying the second place spot in the Pacific division. They are not to be taken lightly. The Canadiens have finally returned home after a 10-day road trip where they earned a 1-3-3 record and sit in 32nd place in the league.

Bottom Line

With injuries, COVID and a change of management, there has been much stress on the players. Now they must wonder about their future with trade winds swirling. This team has gone through so much halfway through the season. They just need to remain focused on on the job at hand and take it game by game.
 Video Highlights

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