NHL Debut for Beck | PREVIEW: MTL @ OTT

By
Sam Gerber
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Ottawa

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

Ottawa
Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Habs had a spirited tilt against one of their divisional rivals that had two big coming out parties for the Habs. Rafael Harvey-Pinard had a two goal game and showed a  finishing touch. Kirby Dach showed an edge in his game that many believed he did not have. In the end a breakaway in overtime wasn’t enough as Rem Pitlick couldn’t make up his mind and the Red Wings retrieved the puck and made no mistake on the odd man rush. Jake Allen played well in his first game back from injury after letting in the first shot he faced.

Last game: MTL 3  DET 4  F/OT

For a complete game recap: ‘Playing Heavy’ | RECAP: DET @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Kirby Dach
    A man possessed last game is how some described Dach’s game. Several big hits, and a clear win in a fight is not something you expect from Kirby Dach but it was great to see he has that style of game in him. While you’re not going to want Dach fighting every night you do want him to battle and be a physical presence out there while being a scoring threat.
  • Owen Beck
    The Habs shocked some with the emergency call up of Owen Beck. The Habs are banged up and are giving Beck a brief taste of the NHL. This will be a real test for Beck who has been real dominant at the OHL level. This is a great opportunity for Beck who will play a couple of games and return to his junior club giving him the knowledge of what it takes to play in the NHL.
  • Rafael Harvey-Pinard
    Pinard played a great game and showed some skill. That skill and energy should keep him up with the Habs for a long look.The rest of the season will be about showing consistency and this is Pinard’s time to audition for a spot on the Habs for next season.

Keys to Victory

  • Play with energy
    The Habs played with a lot of energy against the Wings and need to bring that type of energy tonight against a Sens team that’s on their second night of a back to back.
  • Make smart decisions
    With a roster filled with a mix of NHL/AHL and even one OHL player the Habs have to have smart decision making and can’t afford to second guess themselves or the Sens will be able to take over.
  • Be disciplined
    The Habs and Sens do not like each other and with them playing each other back to back there is going to be some bad blood, the Habs have to be smart and not take bad penalties or they will find themselves behind in this game early.
Statistical Matchup for Game 50
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON | January 28, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, ESPN+

2022-23  statistics
SENATORS CANADIENS
45 (25th) Points (rank) 44 (26th)
21-23-3 Record 20-25-4
W1 Streak OT1
4-6-0 Last 10 5-4-1
2.85 (25th) GF/G (rank) 2.57 (30th)
3.26 (20th) GA/G (rank) 3.65 (28th)
26.4 (4th) PP% (rank) 15.1 (32nd)
81.1 (8th) PK% (rank) 73.6 (29th)
52.0  Faceoff % 49.8
Pre-game Quotes
Owen Beck

  • “I had dinner planned with my dad tonight. Yesterday I called him to tell him that I had to cancel it. He asked me why. I told him it was because I was going to play my first game in the NHL. He became overjoyed. He was so happy.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Stutzle – Joseph
DeBrincat – Greig – Giroux
Brassard – Pinto – Batherson
Kelly – Gambrell – Watson		 Pitlick – Suzuki – Anderson
Hoffman – Dach – Dadonov
Beck – Dvorak – Ylonen
Pezzetta – Belzile – Harvey-Pinard
Defensemen
Chabot – Holden
Sanderson – Hamonic
Brannstrom – Zaitsev		 Xhekaj – Savard
Matheson – Barron
Harris – Kovacevic
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Lucchini, Kastelic
Injured: Motte, Zub, Norris, Talbot		 Scratched: Wideman
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Guhle (lower-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Evans (lower-body), Armia (upper-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Drouin (upper-body), Caufield (shoulder), Edmundson (upper-body)
Goalies
Anton Forsberg Sam Montembeault
Record: 8-10-2
GAA: 3.30
Sv%: .901
SO: 1
Alternate: Kevin Mandolese		 Record: 10-9-2
GAA: 3.14
Sv%: .910
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
This should be an exciting game as Owen Beck makes his NHL debut, the second round pick has had quite the season being a late addition to Team Canada’s World Jr team and to recently being traded in the OHL to the Peterborough Petes. Beck is a very skilled centerman that is excellent on faceoffs, the Habs have to do their part to give him proper support and not let the Sens try to intimidate the young forward.

Bottom Line

This is a game where the Habs need to avoid a trap game by the Sens and continue to skate hard as the game goes on as the Sens should be tired.
 Video Highlights

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