Niku To Make Habs Debut | PREVIEW: DET @ MTL

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Cole Jurzyniec
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GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Detroit Red Wings: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Canadiens were unable to withstand the storm as the Hurricanes shocked the Bell Centre crowd, swiftly handing the Habs their fifth consecutive loss. What seemed to be a promising start, Brendan Gallagher’s goal, was overturned by a coaches challenge.  The Canes wasted no time scoring shortly after on a power-play, immediately grabbing the momentum. Adding insult to injury, Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored his first goal in a Hurricanes uniform, silencing the boos that echoed throughout the arena all evening.

Last game: MTL 1  CAR 4  F

For a complete game recap: ‘It’s Definitely Frustrating’ | RECAP: CAR @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • David Savard
    Savard has experienced difficulty adjusting to the Canadiens defensive system. Joining a new team will pose challenges but he is a veteran and needs to make his mark sooner rather than later.
  • Cole Caufield
    Caufield has been somewhat invisible. He’s had opportunities, but has not been able to capitalize. A lack of confidence, but more likely a lack of effort for the rookie could be a factor.
  • Tyler Toffoli
    Toffoli scoring his first goal may be the confidence boost that he needs to put him back in the scoring race. Unfortunately the goal came in a game where he had a minus-3 rating. He needs to be effective at both ends of the ice.

Keys to Victory

  • Adjust the game plan
    The Canadiens have been very predictable and readable. They need to employ a new plan that utilizes the strengths of the players currently in the lineup. They have spent too much time chasing the game.
  • Display composure
    After losing five straight games, it’s easy to lose self-control, this leads to unnecessary penalties and causes players to lose focus. The leaders need to be composed to bring stability.
  • Breakout smartly
    Defensive errors caused a myriad of problems in the pre-season and early in the regular season. Now that forwards have been encouraged to offer support the offence has been stifled. 
Statistical Matchup for Game 6
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | October 23, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TVAS, CITY, ESPN+, BSDET

2021-22  statistics
RED WINGS CANADIENS
5 (14th) Points (rank) 0 (32nd)
2-1-1 Record 0-5-0
0-0-0 Away/Home 0-3-0
2-1-1 Last 10 0-5-0
3.25 GF/G 0.80
3.00 GA/G 3.80
14.3 (24th) PP% (rank) 5.3 (31st)
75.0 (23rd) PK% (rank) 55.6 (30th)
47.02  CF% 50.37
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme

  • “Eventually, we wanted to see what [Sami Niku] could bring us in a game. On the power play… we’ll see, but it could open up some options.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Fabbri – Larkin – Raymond
Erne – Suter – Zadina
Gagner – Rasmussen – Namestnikov
Smith – Stephens – Rowney		 Hoffman – Suzuki – Gallagher
Drouin – Dvorak – Anderson
Toffoli – Perreault – Caufield
Lehkonen – Evans – Armia
Defensemen
DeKeyser – Hronek
Leddy – Seider
Staal – Lindstrom		 Chiarot – Petry
Kulak – Niku
Romanov – Savard
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Bertuzzi, Stecher, Oesterie
Injured: none
 Scratched: Brooks, Paquette, Wideman
Injured: Edmundson (family), Norlinder (lower-body), Price (player assistance program), Byron (hip), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Thomas Greiss Jake Allen
Record: 2-0-0
GAA: 1.00
Sv%: .969
SO: 0
Alternate: Alex Nedeljkovic		 Record: 0-4-0
GAA: 3.07
Sv%: .891
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
Dominique Ducharme, being the conductor of this train, needs to get his players back on track. With five consecutive losses, confidence is lacking in the dressing room and players are naturally frustrated.

Bottom Line

The Habs must use their home ice advantage to grab a win. After tonight, Montreal is on a four game Western road trip. Tonight, Detroit will be without Tyler Bertuzzi who has been a prominent player for them. This is a prime opportunity to edge out a win with a key piece missing from the Red Wings line-up.
 Video Highlights

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