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In A Philly Mood | PREVIEW: MTL @ PHI

Cole Jurzyniec

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

After being down 3-1 entering the third period, the Canadiens fought back to tie the game in front of a lively Bell Centre crowd. Ben Chiarot had a prime opportunity to seal the win in overtime but was foiled by Phillip Grubauer. Seattle took the victory beating Sam Montembeault in the seventh round of a shoot-out.

Last game: MTL 3  SEA 4  F/SO

For a complete game recap: An Entertaining Night | RECAP: SEA @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki was credited with the tying goal late against Seattle when Adam Larsson scored an own goal. The 22-year-old centre has come to life producing 13 points in his last nine games. Suzuki is on pace to reach a career high 58 points this season.
  • Jeff Petry
    Petry has 20 giveaways in his past eight games which has led to some costly goals against. Petry seemed more settled as he welcomed back a familiar partner in Joel Edmundson against Seattle but he will be without him on Sunday in Philadelphia.
  • Cole Caufield
    Despite almost 24 minutes of icetime and six minutes of power-play time, Caufield struggled offensively and defensively versus the Kraken. He was responsible for four giveaways, tops among Habs forwards. Caufield will look to get back on track against the Flyers.

Keys to Victory

  • Scramble the draws
    The Flyers are ranked fifth in the NHL in faceoffs led by Claude Giroux who sits third in the league at 61.1 percent. The Canadiens’ centres may have to resort to scrambling draws in key defensive situations.
  • Win special teams
    The Canadiens have to capitalize on their powerplay.  With six missed opportunities against the Kraken, the loss of momentum was apparent after they had allowed a short-handed goal.
  • Fight the fatigue
    After playing a 65 minute game and traveling to Philadelphia late in the evening, the players may feel the effects of fatigue going into the third period. Extra attention to line changes will be key.
Statistical Matchup for Game 59
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA | March 13, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, NBCSP

2021-22  statistics
FLYERS CANADIENS
46 (28th) Points (rank) 38 (32nd)
18-30-10 Record 15-35-8
L2 Streak OT1
3-6-1 Last 10 7-2-1
2.50 (31st) GF/G (rank) 2.43 (32nd)
3.41 (24th) GA/G (rank) 3.79 (32nd)
13.7 (30th) PP% (rank) 12.7 (31st)
75.6 (25th) PK%  (rank) 73.5 (29th)
53.4  Faceoff % 48.0
Pre-game Quotes
Brendan Gallagher
  • “Shootouts are shootouts. It’s a coin toss.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Giroux – Brassard – Atkinson
Lindblom – Frost – Konecny
Farabee – Hayes – van Riemsdyk
Mayhew – Brown – MacEwen		 Caufield – Suzuki – Anderson
Hoffman – R. Pitlick – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Poehling – Armia
Pezzetta – Evans – Byron
Defensemen
Provorov – Braun
Sanheim – Ristolainen
Yandle – York		 Romanov – Chiarot
Kulak – Petry
Schueneman – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Morin, Ellis, Thompson, Laughton, Couturier, Connauton		 Scratched: Dauphin, Perreault, Edmundson
Injured: Clague (upper-body), Hammond (lower-body), T. Pitlick (undisclosed), Dvorak (upper-body), Savard (ankle), Allen (lower-body), Drouin (wrist), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Carter Hart Sam Montembeault
Record: 11-19-6
GAA: 2.94
Sv%: .912
SO: 1
Alternate: Martin Jones		 Record: 6-12-5
GAA: 3.63
Sv%: .897
SO: 1
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
These two teams last met on December 16th where the Canadiens prevailed in a shootout. The Flyers are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday in Raleigh. Both teams would like to get an early lead to avoid chasing the game.

Bottom Line

While not always coming out with a win, Montreal has been playing very entertaining hockey. The Canadiens players in demand before the trade deadline will have another opportunity to audition their talents in front of visiting scouts.
 Video Highlights

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