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Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: In Control | HABS PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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 overcame a late start after playing the second of a back to back against a rested Senators team. Jeff Petry got it going and finally got out of his slump. Then after having a goal called back the Habs were able to tie it by a great pass by Nick Suzuki to Tyler Toffoli. The hero of the game was Cole Caufield who chose the perfect time to score his first NHL goal.

Last game: MTL 3  OTT 2  (OT)

For a complete game recap: Senators @ Canadiens: Dramatic OT Finish

Players to Watch

  • Cole Caufield
    After taking advantage of the opportunity in overtime and scoring his first goal, Caufield will be more relaxed and should see his best game yet tonight.
  • Jake Allen
    After getting the night off, Allen will look to get back to his normal self. Allen hasn’t been at his best lately but he was signed for this reason and tonight is his turn to step up.
  • Michael Frolik
    Frolik has been playing some great hockey and its gone under the radar. The points aren’t there but he has made several great plays and has made the fourth line more offensive lately.

Keys to Victory

  • Contain the offence
    The Habs let the Leafs’ best players get the best of them last time. Tonight, the Habs have to work together to shutdown Auston Matthews but can’t overplay him as they did last time.
  • Play 60 minutes
    The Habs may be banged up but that didn’t stop them from outshooting the Sens 18-3 in the third. If the Habs can play like that for a full game they will always have a chance at a win.
  • Frustrate the Leafs
    The Leafs have won five straight and are in cruise control waiting for the playoffs. The Habs have to knock them off their game, make them uncomfortable and take advantage.
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | May 3, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, SNO, RDS

2020-21 statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
71 (5th) Points (rank) 55 (16th)
33-13-5 Record 23-18-9
17-6-2 Away/Home 12-11-2
5-3-2 Last 10 5-5-0
3.35 GF/G 2.88
2.61 GA/G 2.84
21.6 (11th) PP% (rank) 20.4 (16th)
76.7 (26th) PK% (rank) 77.7 (23rd)
50.61  CF% 54.98
Pre-game Quotes
Josh Anderson
  • “When you win a couple in a row, that’s when you start feeling good about your game and the confidence is a lot more there. I thought we showed a lot of character in those last two wins, but we’ve got to carry that over into tonight, have a big game and a huge start.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Foligno – Matthews – Marner
Galchenyuk – Tavares – Nylander
Mikheyev – Kerfoot – Simmonds
Thornton – Brooks – Spezza		 Toffoli – Suzuki – Armia
Kotkaniemi – Danault – Anderson
Lehkonen – Evans – Caufield
Frolik – Staal – Perry
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Muzzin – Liljegren
Sandin – Dermott		 Romanov – Chiarot
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Engvall, Hutton, Hutchinson
Injured: Andersen, Nash, Hyman, Bogosian, Holl
 Scratched: Gustafsson
Injured: Gallagher (hand), Price (concussion), Byron (lower-body), Drouin (undisclosed), Tatar (lower-body), Weber (upper-body)
Goalies
Jack Campbell Jake Allen
Record: 13-2-1
GAA: 2.21
Sv%: .922
SO: 2
Alternate: David Rittich		 Record: 9-9-4
GAA: 2.50
Sv%: .913
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The Habs will get a big test of playoff hockey with their remaining games, including three this week against the Leafs. These games could easily be a preview of the first round.

Bottom Line

While the players need to do their part, the coaching staff will need to make their adjustments and would be a great time to test a few game plans against their likely first round opponent.
 Video Highlights

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