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

A Look Back

It was a questionable decision by Dom Ducharme to challenge a Winnipeg goal for  goaltender interference when it was obvious that the call was never going to go the Habs way. Once again, poor defensive play sunk the Habs and a late goal after that was too much. It was demoralizing for the Habs who are in a three-game slide.

Last game: MTL 0  WPG 5  F

For a complete game recap: Jets @ Canadiens: Habs Humiliated at Home

Players to Watch

• Tyler Toffoli
  The Habs need their best players to get going and that means Toffoli needs to find the back of the net again, who hasn’t scored in five games and is one way from 20.
• Tomas Tatar
  Tatar has always been an excellent finisher yet this season he hasn’t even reached 10 goals. The Habs need more from him as has reached the 20 goal mark almost every season, 15 goals this shortened season should be expected but may be out of the question this late into the season.
• Brett Kulak
  Kulak played some of his best hockey in the bubble with Jeff Petry but Dom Ducharme has shaken up the pairs as Joel Edmundson was struggling on the top-pairing. As a mobile defenceman, Kulak should be a good fit with Shea Weber.

Keys to Victory

• Use speed
  The Habs need to come out flying, during the slump the Habs have looked like the slower team often getting out worked. Its the main part of the slump and they can’t let that continue tonight.
• Play physical
  If the Habs want any chance of making a difference in the playoffs and getting out of the slump the Habs power play has to start clicking.
• Win special teams
  The Habs can’t go down without a fight and can’t afford to get in a scoring race against the Leafs. Setting the tone earlier with several big hits should get the Habs involved early and set the tone for the rest of the game.

2020-21 statistics

• “We hit a little bump. I think good teams find a way to dig themselves out as fast as possible. It’s our time to do that. Every team is going through struggles during the season and we can probably say this is ours. We just have to get better and do what we’re good at. I see a lot of potential in our team. We made some great additions during the offseason and that created a lot of depth, so different guys can step in at different times of the season. We’re in a solid spot, we’re in a playoff spot, so we just have to get back in it and peak at the right time.”

Bottom Line

The Habs have to find away to outwork the Leafs and knock them off their game.