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Oilers @ Canadiens: NHL Debut for Ylonen | HABS PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview

A Look Back

The Habs got the done job securing a point clinching a playoff berth where they will play their biggest rival in the first round, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Habs did end up losing the game but like tonight’s game the Habs and Oilers are both preparing for the post season.

Last game: MTL 3  EDM 4 (OT)

For a complete game recap: Oilers @ Canadiens: Playoffs Despite Loss

Players to Watch

  • Jake Evans
    Evans effort last game might have secured him a spot on the roster during the post season. Evans knows Brendan Gallagher is coming back and he needs to keep this pace up to not be the healthy scratch.
  • Cole Caufield
    The Habs should unleash Caufield tonight. It’s a nothing game for the Habs and the young players should be given the extra ice time.
  • Eric Staal
    Staal could be the 13th forward and he knows it, while his play has been better lately he knows he needs to earn his spot and he’s got one game left to do that.

Keys to Victory

  • Stay healthy
    Both teams are going to want to end the season on a a positive note but if we’re being honest both teams can’t wait for the game to be over and just hope no one gets hurt.
  • Send a message
    While the Habs know they have a tough task in the Leafs, there’s a good chance the Oilers will be the team they’d see if they reach the second round and they have to let them know it won’t be easy.
  • Win special teams
    Working on the special teams to the end season can’t hurt as the Habs haven’t been great at both the power-play and penalty-kill all season.
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | May 12, 5:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, ESPN+, RDS

2020-21 statistics
OILERS CANADIENS
70 (12th) Points (rank) 58 (18th)
34-18-2 Record 24-21-10
18-7-2 Away/Home 13-11-3
7-3-0 Last 10 4-5-1
3.30 GF/G 2.82
2.72 GA/G 2.93
27.4 (1st) PP% (rank) 19.3 (19th)
82.1 (11th) PK% (rank) 79.3 (18th)
48.95  CF% 54.39
Pre-game Quotes
Jake Allen
  • “I feel very comfortable here and very much at home. Getting traded for the first time was a new experience, especially during a pandemic. That doesn’t make things any easier. But, the way the organization has treated me, the way the boys have welcomed me with open arms, and the way we had to grind through this tough year really brought a lot of people together. I feel confident here. It’s been unfortunate without the fans because you don’t get the full Montreal experience, but I’m envisioning the best I can wearing the red jersey at home when the Bell Centre is packed. It’s been a fun first year.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Kahun – McDavid – Puljujarvi
Nugent-Hopkins – Draisaitl – Yamamoto
Neal – McLeod – Chiasson
Shore – Khaira – Archibald		 Armia – Suzuki – Caufield
Tatar – Kotkaniemi – Perry
Byron – Evans – Lehkonen
Belzile – Frolik – Ylonen
Defensemen
Nurse – Barrie
Kulikov – Larsson
Jones – Bear		 Kulak – Chiarot
Romanov – Ouellet
Gustafsson – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Stalock, Bouchard, Lagesson
Injured: Haas, Koekkoek, Klefbom,  Kassian, Nygard, Russell
 Scratched: Toffoli, Anderson, Staal, Edmundson, Petry
Injured: Gallagher (hand), Price (concussion), Drouin (undisclosed), Danault (concussion), Weber (upper-body)
Goalies
Mike Smith Cayden Primeau
Record: 0-0-0
GAA: 0.00
Sv%: .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Mikko Koskinen		 Record: 1-2-0
GAA: 4.23
Sv%: .859
SO: 0
Alternate: Charlie Lindgren
 Game Expectations
This game has no impact on the standings and the Habs are locked into play the Leafs in round one. Ending the season on a positive note can do wonders for a team heading into the playoffs.

Bottom Line

If the Habs struggle to win a nothing game they will have a rude awakening verse the Leafs when the games matter more than anything.
 Video Highlights

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