Site icon Habs Hockey Report

Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Wake Up the Offence | GAME 4 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, NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series

Game Preview

A Look Back

Losing faceoffs, losing battles and being bottled up in the defensive end led to the Habs defeat. Add in a disastrous second period where the Leafs completely dominated and that was enough for the Habs to go down two games to one in the series. Price was terrific and made a highlight reel save for the ages but his team once again struggled to score.

Last game: MTL 1  TOR 2 | Leafs lead series 2-1

For a complete game recap: Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Habs Scoring Woes Continue | GAME 3 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Jeff Petry
    Petry has yet to record a point but has been playing relatively well. He is averaging  22:44 per game so has been given plenty of opportunities to make a difference. It’s time for him to use his mobility to contribute offensively.
  • Josh Anderson
    After setting the tone in game one Anderson hasn’t had the same energy to his game. The Habs need him to come out hard in game four.
  • Alexander Romanov
    Ducharme has not yet revealed his lineup for game 4 but the Habs could use someone who is bold and willing to throw a big hit. That’s exactly what Romanov can do.

Keys to Victory

  • Move the puck
    The Habs have struggled to get the puck out of their zone and the Leafs continue to pinch down knowing the puck is just going to be rimmed around the boards.
  • Take chances
    The Habs are playing too conservative, hoping to capitalize on bounces. It’s time they let loose, take some chances and turn this series into a dog fight.
  • Win special teams
    The Habs had a big opportunity early to get a goal but came up empty once again. The power-play has been awfully predictable and the Habs need it to come alive to get back in the series.
Statistical Matchup for Game 4
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | May 25, 7:30 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NHLN

2020-21 Playoff statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
2-1 Record 1-2
2-1 Home/Away 1-2
2-1 Last 10 1-2
2.67 GF/G 1.33
1.33 GA/G 2.67
14.3 (11th) PP% (rank) 0.0 (16th)
100.0 (2nd) PK% (rank) 85.7 (6th)
54.82  CF% 45.18
Pre-game Quotes
Nick Suzuki
  • “Obviously [Carey Price] is the rock of our team. He made some outstanding saves last night to keep us in the game. We want to score goals for him. We want to win games. I think I like our chances tonight. The boys are ready to go!”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Hyman – Matthews – Marner
Galchenyuk – Foligno – Nylander
Mikheyev – Engvall – Kerfoot
Thornton – Spezza – Simmonds		 Tatar – Danault – Anderson
Armia – Suzuki – Caufield
Toffoli – Kotkaniemi – Gallagher
Lehkonen (GTD) – Byron – Perry
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Muzzin – Holl
Sandin – Bogosian		 Weber – Chiarot
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Hutchinson, Liljegren, Noesen,  Dermott, Nash
Injured: Tavares (concussion, knee)
 Scratched: Gustafsson, Ouellet, Frolik,  Romanov
Injured: Staal (undisclosed), Evans (undisclosed), Drouin (undisclosed)
Goalies
Jack Campbell Carey Price
Record: 2-1
GAA: 1.36
Sv%: .951
SO: 0
Alternate: Frederik Andersen		 Record: 1-2
GAA: 2.41
Sv%: .929
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Habs need to play like they are in front of a sold out crowd at the Bell Centre. There’s no way to get that type of feeling but the Habs need to get to that level. They know they can’t afford to go down three games to one.

Bottom Line

The Leafs are getting the benefit of the doubt and are getting away with too much and even laughing in scrums. It’s time for the Habs to make the Leafs pay and make this series chaotic.
 Video Highlights

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

Exit mobile version