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Jake vs Jake | PREVIEW: DAL @ MTL

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It was a complete game by the Habs who found the back of the net early and often. Josh Anderson started the party crashing the net. The Habs then took advantage of Arizona turnovers with a handful of players finding the back of the net including Juraj Slafkovsky! Habs fans were then treated by an all time move on a penalty shot by Nick Suzuki. The Coyotes started a brief comeback but the Habs quickly shut the door and sealed it with an empty netter by Sean Monahan.

Last game: MTL 6  ARI 2  F

For a complete game recap: All Smiles | RECAP: ARI @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Juraj Slafkovsky
    It was a night to remember for Slafkovsky who scored his first goal and never stopped smiling the rest of the night. This is great for the Habs rookie, getting his first NHL goal early in the season. He suffered an unspecified injury in the game against the Coyotes and won’t be in the lineup against Dallas.
  • Arber Xhekaj
    Making his presence known around the league, Xhekaj had his first NHL fight against veteran heavyweight Zack Kassian. Xhekaj was the clear winner and made a statement after the game that he’s not going to back down from anyone. He is an imposing player who is appreciated by his teammates.
  • Jonathan Drouin
    With a team filled with exciting young players Drouin has slid under the radar. This could be a blessing to be away from the spotlight in his effort to find his game and play for an NHL contract next season.

Keys to Victory

  • Force turnovers
    The Habs did a great job creating and capitalizing on turnovers for the Coyotes. They won’t be as easy to create against a stronger Stars team but the Habs have to stick to their game plan and force the Stars to make mistakes.
  • Play 60 minutes
    After a statement game by the Habs against one of the weaker teams in the league the Habs have to comeback with another complete game and show they can play that style every night no matter who the opponent may be.
  • Use team depth
    The Habs are deep at forward but need more from the bottom six, especially from the trio of Christian Dvorak, Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov. If these players can step up their game the Habs can certainly surprise several teams.
Statistical Matchup for Game 6
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 22, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SNE, CITY, TVAS, ESPN+, BSSWX

2022-23  statistics
STARS CANADIENS
7 (4th) Points (rank) 6 (13th)
3-0-1 Record 3-2-0
OT1 Streak W2
3-0-1 Last 10 3-2-0
3.75 (9th) GF/G (rank) 2.80 (23rd)
1.50 (1st) GA/G (rank) 2.60 (9th)
28.6 (9th) PP% (rank) 7.1 (30th)
90.9 (8th) PK% (rank) 93.3 (6th)
51.3  Faceoff % 53.0
Pre-game Quotes
Marty St. Louis
  • The Canadiens cancelled their practice on Friday due to a water system problem at the Bell Centre but St. Louis felt that missing the skate wouldn’t have an impact on Saturday’s game.
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Robertson – Hintz – Pavelski
Marchment – Seguin – Gurianov
Benn – Johnston – Dellandrea
Kiviranta – Faksa – Glendening		 Caufield – Suzuki – Monahan
Dadonov – Dvorak – Gallagher
Drouin – Dach – Anderson
Pitlick – Evans – Hoffman
Defensemen
Heiskanen – Miller
Suter – Hakanpaa
Lindell – Lundkvist		 Guhle – Savard
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Peterson, Hanley
Injured:		 Scratched: Pezzetta, Schueneman
Injured: Slafkovsky (upper-body), Matheson (abdominal strain), Armia (upper-body), Edmundson (back), Heineman (finger), Byron (hip), Price (knee)
Goalies
Jake Oettinger Jake Allen
Record: 3-0-0
GAA: 1.00
Sv%: .966
SO: 0
Alternate: Scott Wedgewood		 Record: 2-1-0
GAA: 2.02
Sv%: .938
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The Habs are in tough against a Stars team coming off an overtime loss to the Leafs. The Stars believe they are a strong contender and have one of the league’s best goalies in Jake Oettinger who has yet to lose this season. Oettinger has been dominant and can easily steal a game. The Habs have to make sure they test him and not let him see the puck. If the Habs are unable to get to the Oettinger early, the Stars will likely get the better of the Habs.

Bottom Line

This is a winnable game for the Habs but it will take a complete game with all four lines going and mistake free hockey.
 Video Highlights

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