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Jets @ Canadiens: Bell Centre Energy | HABS GAME 3 PREVIEW

Rick Stephens
Winnipeg-1

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Winnipeg Jets: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets, NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series

Game Preview

A Look Back

Nothing like a nail biting one goal game for game two. It was a tight checking contest where the Habs and Jets waited for each other to make a mistake. Both teams had their chances but it was Tyler Toffoli who showed a ton of composure, while shorthanded, to hold on to the puck and made no mistake with the finish. Credit should go out to Artturi Lehkonen on the goal who drove the net and made everyone think a pass was coming. Carey Price fully earned the shutout, which was his eighth playoff shutout making him only two behind iconic Habs goalie Ken Dryden.

Last game: MTL 1  WPG 0 | Canadiens lead series 2-0

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Jets: Price is Perfect | HABS GAME 2 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Cole Caufield
    Caufield starting shooting more last game, tying for the team lead in shots. In game one, he passed up a few great shot opportunities but that changed last game and his first goal is only going to be a matter of time.
  • Corey Perry
    Perry has been all over the ice in this series and his veteran leadership has been on full display. Leading by example is exactly what he is doing and the young players are following in his footsteps. It is making for a more complete line up and allowing the Habs to run four lines without issues.
  • Ben Chiarot
    Chariot will not get a lot of recognition for his game but he deserves it. Only being credited with five hits in two games is hard to believe as every shift Chariot has put his body on the line and constantly wins the board battles. Not getting caught in a long shift is something he has to be wary about as it is the time when mistakes can happen.

Keys to Victory

  • Start quickly
    The 2500 fans will definitely sound like many more in the Bell Centre. The Habs have to feed off the crowd noise and get an early goal giving them a huge boost in a game where they have a chance to be stranglehold on the series.
  • Win special teams
    The Habs are winning the special teams matchup so far this series and that has to continue. The power-play has become threatening and the penalty-kill hasn’t given up a goal since game two of the first round.
  • Generate offence
    Winning a one goal game is great but the Habs need to generate offence. The Jets have a lot of scoring even without their best player and Carey Price can’t expect to shut down the entire team every game.
Statistical Matchup for Round 2, Game 3
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | June 6, 6:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NBCSN

2020-21 Playoff statistics
JETS CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
4-2 Record 6-3
– Last 10 –
20.0 (8th) PP% (rank) 16.7 (12th)
81.2 (7th) PK% (rank) 89.3 (1st)
53.7 Faceoff% 49.2
2.83 GF/G 2.22
2.33 GA/G 2.33
46.10  CF% 48.22
Pre-game Quotes
Eric Staal
  • “We know they’re going to be better. We know they’re going to come out engaged and ready to play, and we need to do the same. We’re back home, we get fans again in the building, and we need to use that excitement to our advantage and play a solid game and a team game that we’ve played for the last little bit. We need to put ourselves in a good position.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Connor – Dubois – Wheeler
Stastny – Copp – Ehlers
Perreault – Lowry – Appleton
Vesalainen – Thompson – Lewis		 Lehkonen – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Suzuki – Caufield
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Anderson
Perry – Staal – Armia
Defensemen
Morrissey – Poolman
Forbort – Pionk
Stanley – Benn		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Gustafsson
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Niku, Heinola, Toninato, Harkins
Injured: DeMelo
Suspended: Scheifele		 Scratched: Frolik, Romanov, Lindgren, Tatar
Injured: Evans (concussion), Drouin (undisclosed), Merrill (undisclosed)
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck Carey Price
Record: 4-2
GAA: 1.87
Sv%: .940
SO: 1
Alternate: Laurent Brossoit		 Record: 6-3
GAA: 2.08
Sv%: .935
SO: 1
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Jets may be getting back veteran center Paul Stastny, who missed the first two games but is probable for game three. Expect this to give the Jets motivation to start the game on time. Montreal will have to be sharp and push the pace. The Jets lines are mixed up due to the suspension to their number one centre and chemistry is off. Habs have a great opportunity to force turnovers and take advantage but this game could easily be a repeat of last game.

Bottom Line

The Jets aren’t going to go down without a fight and are going to want this win more. A strong start from the Habs is necessary to get this win and will give 2500 fans something early to cheer about.
 Video Highlights

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