Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Battling the Best | HABS PREVIEW

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Sam Gerber
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GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview

A Look Back

The Habs struggled against the Senators for the second time in a row but got the win this time. It was a key win for the Habs as dropping games against lower tier teams this season could easily cost them the division title or worse the playoffs. Jake Allen was once again sharp.

Last game: MTL 2  OTT 1  F

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Senators: Habs Duck Out of Ottawa

Players to Watch

  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson is only three goals off the league lead and is on a three game goal streak. Anderson had two goals against the Maple Leafs last time they played and will look to be a force once again.
  • Tyler Toffoli
    Toffoli is only two goals off the league lead however he has only scored once against a team that wasn’t Vancouver. His scoring depth will be key against offensive teams like the Leafs.
  • Jeff Petry
    Chariot’s only minus game this season was against the Leafs when he was a minus-2. Chariot has backed away from being offensive and has chose to be a strong shut down defender who will look to make up for his last game.

Keys to Victory

  • Start with energy
    The Habs have had a few days off since their last tame and should have more gas in the tank against the Leafs. A fast start with all four lines rolling is key for the Habs.
  • Defend Matthews
    The league’s leading goal scorer should have a tough matchup as the Habs will match up their best defenders against him all game long.
  • Use the depth
    If the Habs can shut down the Leafs top line, they have to take advantage of their depth. The Leafs are missing four players with injuries and the Habs out match them easily if all four lines are going. 
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 10, 7:30 PM ET | TV: SN, RDS, 

2020-21 statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
21 (1st) Points (rank) 18 (3rd)
10-2-1 Record 8-2-2
4-1-1 Away/Home 3-2-0
8-1-1 Last 10 7-2-1
2.46 GF/G 4.00
4.55 GA/G 2.50
36.6 (3rd) PP% (rank) 22.2 (13th)
75.5 (23rd) PK% (rank) 79.6 (19th)
51.49  CF% 53.50
Pre-game Quotes
 Claude Julien

  • “We must be extremely disciplined, especially against Toronto and Edmonton. They’re capable of doing a lot of damage with the power play. We must capitalize on our power play chances to score some goals. They’re two teams who pretty much have the same identity. They have players who can skate well and move the puck. We have to limit their time and space because they can do damage offensively. We’ll definitely have to be disciplined, but we’ll also have to skate with them to take away their time and space.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Hyman – Matthews – Marner
Sandin – Tavares – Nylander
Vesey – Kerfoot – Mikheyev
Petan – Boyd – Spezza		 Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Kotkaniemi – Perry
Lehkonen – Evans – Byron
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Muzzin – Holl
Dermott – Bogosian		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Sandin, Lehtonen, Barabanov, Brooks
Injured: Thornton, Robertson, Campbell,  Simmonds
 Scratched: Mete
Injured: Armia
Goalies
Frederik Andersen Carey Price
Record: 8-2-1
GAA: – 2.65
Sv%: – .904
SO: 0
Alternate:  Michael Hutchinson		 Record: 4-1-2
GAA: – 2.81
Sv%: – .899
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The best of the Canadian division meet for only the second time this season. The Habs find themselves three points back of the Leafs but have a game in hand. The Leafs have won three straight with Auston Matthews scoring on an elite level.

Bottom Line

Carey Price has played only twice in February which should make him as sharp as can be as he looks for win number five this season.
 Video Highlights

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