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Matheson Returns | PREVIEW: WPG @ MTL

Cole Jurzyniec
Winnipeg-1

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Winnipeg Jets: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview 

A Look Back

Kirby Dach opened the scoring for the Habs in the middle frame on a great set play. Artemi Panarin found the mesh to tie the game later in the period. Sam Montembeault and Igor Shesterkin were showcased in full form as both were peppered with 70 collective shots throughout 60 minutes. The Canadiens edged out the Rangers with a third period goal from Cole Caufield.

Last game: MTL 2  NYR 1  F

For a complete game recap: Game-winner by Caufield | RECAP: MTL @ NYR

Players to Watch

  • Kirby Dach
    The Alberta native has found life after being scoreless in 10 games. The sizeable centerman tallied three goals in the past five games. Dach should keep his foot on the gas pedal, riding his confidence and proving how he can be an important asset for the team moving forward.
  • Cole Caufield
    It’s very difficult to not talk about the Wisconsin winger as he continues to light the lamp. With 26 goals under his belt, he is tied for ninth in scoring with Mark Scheifele and Leon Draisaitl. Caufield is on pace to possibly double his 23 goals last season.
  • Nick Suzuki
    The 23-year-old captain had a rough stretch from the mid-way point of December moving into January but has been paramount in the past three games scoring once and assisting twice. Playing under pressure and handling adversity while motivating teammates has been a good learning lesson for the former first-round pick.

Keys to Victory

  • Cycle the puck
    The Canadiens found great success against the Rangers cycling  the puck in the  offensive zone which led to good scoring chances. The Jets have a concrete back-end  led by Connor Hellebuyck and Josh Morrissey. Heads-up plays are going to be key in driving the Habs offense.
  • Win power play
    The Canadiens power play has looked cleaner in the past three games and has translated into some production. They have netted three goals with the man advantage in their last two wins. The Jets are going to be bringing a strong offensive game to the table so the Habs should take any advantage they can get.
  • Throw pucks on net
    The Habs have a difficult matchup against a Vezina calibre goalie in Connor Hellebuyck. They need to keep throwing pucks on net to generate rebounds and pick their spots to beat the Jets net-minder.
Statistical Matchup for Game 45
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 17, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS,  ESPN+

2022-23  statistics
JETS CANADIENS
59 (5th) Points (rank) 39 (27th)
29-14-1 Record 18-23-3
W3 Streak W1
8-2-0 Last 10 3-7-0
3.34 (10th) GF/G (rank) 2.55 (29th)
2.59 (2nd) GA/G (rank) 3.68 (27th)
24.2 (10th) PP% (rank) 16.3 (29th)
83.9 (2nd) PK% (rank) 75.2 (22nd)
47.9  Faceoff % 49.8
Pre-game Quotes
Marty St. Louis on Canadiens injury situation
  • “Maybe someone can steal a chair.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Connor – Dubois – Gagner
Perfetti – Scheifele – Wheeler
Barron – Lowry – Kuhlman
Maenalanen – Stenlund – Jonsson-Fjallby		 Caufield – Suzuki – Ylonen
Hoffman – Dach – Anderson
Pezzetta – Dvorak – Dadonov
Harvey-Pinard – Pitlick
Defensemen
Morrissey – DeMelo
Dillon – Pionk
Heinola – Schmidt		 Matheson – Savard
Edmundson – Barron
Harris – Kovacevic
Xhekaj
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Samberg, Capobianco
Injured: Appleton, Stanley, Gustafsson, Ehlers		 Scratched: Wideman
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Guhle (lower-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Allen (upper-body), Evans (lower-body), Armia (upper-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Drouin (undisclosed)
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck Sam Montembeault
Record: 22-10-1
GAA: 2.37
Sv%: 9.26
SO: 3
Alternate: David Rittich		 Record: 8-7-2
GAA: 3.17
Sv%: .910
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
After the Jets win in Arizona Sunday evening, they have now propelled themselves to first place in the Western conference and won’t be slowing down. Everything has been clicking for a strong Winnipeg team and shutting down the offensively minded squad will take durable defense and playing a complete 60-minutes.

Bottom Line

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the Habs over the past week with two wins and two losses, but finding a win at home will give the squad a boost of confidence. The All-star break is looming so having a strong month will give fans some peace of mind.
 Video Highlights

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