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Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Habs Are Back | PREVIEW

Rick Stephens

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 Canadiens were struggling to generate anything for more than two periods in last week’s game against the Leafs. Carey Price stood on his head for 40 minutes against the league’s best team until his teammates woke up in the third frame. Brendan Gallagher played a big part in the comeback.

Last game: MTL 2  TOR 1  F

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Maple Leafs: Better Late Than Never

Players to Watch

  • Paul Byron
    Byron will be in the lineup after clearing waivers earlier in the week. It was a stressful time for the Canadiens alternate captain. He has indicated that he wants to stay in Montreal and now is time for him to show he belongs.
  • Tomas Tatar
    Tatar skated on a line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia in the game day skate. If Tatar does return to the lineup, he will have extra incentive to play well after being a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs last week..
  • Phillip Danault
    Danault has struggled this season both offensively and defensively. In an attempt to get him going Claude Julien placed Habs goal scoring leader Tyler Toffoli on Danault’s left side. Danault was one of three players mentioned by name in Marc Bergevin’s press conference saying that he needs more from Phillip.

Keys to Victory

  • Start strong
    The Canadiens will be well-rested when they take to the ice but will there be any rust after almost a week off? Montreal must start strong to set the tone.
  • Shut down stars
    Montreal has done well so far this season to limit the impact of the elite players on the Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are each coming off four point games against the Senators,
  • Win special teams
    The Habs power-play has had good success so far this season. Montreal will need to win the special teams battle to ensure a win.  
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 20, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN, TVAS, CBC, CITY

2020-21 statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
28 (1st) Points (rank) 20 (11th)
13-3-2 Record 9-4-2
5-1-1 Away/Home 3-4-0
7-1-2 Last 10 6-4-0
3.72 GF/G 3.47
2.67 GA/G 2.53
34.6 (1st) PP% (rank) 20.8 (15th)
80.0 (14th) PK% (rank) 80.0 (17th)
48.53  CF% 54.64
Pre-game Quotes
 Claude Julien
  • “The Leafs have already played three games this week. We hope the fact that we’re well-rested will help us. When you haven’t played for a week, you hope that you aren’t too rusty at the start of the game. We did what we could to make sure we’re ready. That’s what we’ll find out tonight.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Thornton – Matthews – Marner
Hyman – Tavares – Nylander
Vesey – Kerfoot – Mikheyev
Engvall – Boyd – Spezza		 Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Toffoli – Danault – Gallagher
Tatar – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Lehkonen – Evans – Byron
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Muzzin – Holl
Dermott – Bogosian		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Mete – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Lehtonen, Petan
Injured: Campbell, Simmonds
 Scratched: Kulak, Perry
Injured:
Goalies
Frederik Andersen Carey Price
Record: 10-3-2
GAA: – 2.67
Sv%: – .905
SO: 0
Alternate:  Michael Hutchinson		 Record: 5-2-2
GAA: – 2.64
Sv%: – .901
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Canadiens’ defensive game is still a work in progress. Early in the season, the habs simply outscored their mistakes. Against the potent offence of the Maple Leafs, Montreal would be wise to tighten up their defensive effort with all five players on the ice focused and diligent.

Bottom Line

The duo of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are dangerous each time they are on the ice. If the Canadiens can once again shut down the pair, they will have a good chance to win the game.
 Video Highlights

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