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New Linemates for Suzuki | PREVIEW: TOR @ MTL

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 curse of the retro jerseys continues as the Habs were blown out by the Panthers in a spirited tilt that had some questionable officiating and was a very physical battle. The Habs lineup was exposed once again but for a team that is not concerned about wins right now it’s time to move forward on to the next game.

Last game: MTL 2  FLA 6  F

For a complete game recap: Habs Mauled By Panthers | RECAP: FLA @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson has had inconsistency issues again this season. That said, Anderson still holds a lot of value on the trade market and a strong performance for the next month and a half will increase the power forward’s trade value even more.
  • Nick Suzuki
    The chemistry between Suzuki and Caufield is one of the best in the league but teams have started to load up their top players against them. With Caufield to miss the rest of the regular season due to shoulder surgery, Suzuki is going to be tasked with some tough matchups and will have to show why he was named captain.
  • Arber Xhekaj
    The unbelievable rookie season of Xhekaj continues who has now become a force in the NHL and teams are starting to fear him. Xhekaj can use this advantage and up his physical game as players are not willing to challenge the rookie defenceman.

Keys to Victory

  • Commit to defensive hockey
    The Habs got away from their tight checking game against the Panthers, something they will want to get back to against a high offensive Leafs team.
  • Create offence
    The Habs offence took a huge blow this morning with the news of Caufield missing the rest of the season, someone will get the opportunity to replace Caufield and they have to make the most of this chance.
  • Be disciplined
    The Habs penalty kill suffered vs the Panthers and would be smart to stay out of the box against the Leafs who have one of the league’s best power plays.
Statistical Matchup for Game 47
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | January 21, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, ESPN+

2022-23  statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
63 (3rd) Points (rank) 41 (26th)
28-11-7 Record 19-24-3
W2 Streak L1
6-3-1 Last 10 4-6-0
3.39 (8th) GF/G (rank) 2.57 (29th)
2.63 (3rd) GA/G (rank) 3.67 (28th)
24.7 (9th) PP% (rank) 15.4 (31st)
78.2 (17th) PK% (rank) 73.7 (27th)
52.9  Faceoff % 49.8
Pre-game Quotes
Cole Caufield
  • “Everyone in the locker room is happy to come to the arena every day, we all have the passion and the desire to improve. We know that it will take time.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Bunting – Matthews – Nylander
Jarnkrok – Tavares – Marner
McMann – Kampf – Engvall
Aston-Reese – Kerfoot – Simmonds		 Pitlick – Suzuki – Anderson
Hoffman – Dach – Dadonov
Pezzetta – Dvorak – Ylonen
Belzile – Harvey-Pinard
Defensemen
Rielly – Liljegren
Giordano – Holl
Sandin – Benn		 Harris – Savard
Edmundson – Barron
Matheson – Kovacevic
Xhekaj
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Benn, Hunt
Injured: Muzzin, Robertson, Brodie, Holmberg, Mete		 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 (upper-body), Caufield (shoulder)
Goalies
Ilya Samsonov Sam Montembeault
Record: 14-4-1
GAA: 2.18
Sv%: .920
SO: 2
Alternate: Matt Murray		 Record: 9-8-2
GAA: 3.21
Sv%: .909
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
The Habs dropped a bombshell this morning with Caufield going to miss the rest of the regular season, it’s a real shame for Caufield who was setting career highs this season. The show must go and the Habs season will likely take a dramatic turn as the tank will be in full effect. The Leafs are having a strong season but are still figuring out their best roster that might break their curse in the playoffs. Games between the Habs and Leafs are always exciting and while this game is unlikely to be close the Habs still will play the Leafs hard and make for an exciting night.

Bottom Line

Staying competitive and showing progress but remaining healthy for the rest of the season will be key for the Habs.
 Video Highlights

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