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Oilers @ Canadiens: Toffoli Is Out | 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 curse of the blue jersey is over as the Habs won the final game against the Canucks for this season. It was a back and forth game that where the Habs had more chances but were abysmal in their own zone. They must be better against the Oilers.

Last game: MTL 5  VAN  4  F/SO

For a complete game recap: Canucks @ Canadiens: Tatar, Price Shootout Heroes

Players to Watch

  • Carey Price 
    Price, along with Tomas Tatar, delivered the Canadiens first win beyond regulation on Saturday night. Dominique Ducharme needs to get his squad back to playing responsible defensive hockey especially this week against Edmonton.
  • Artturi Lehkonen
    With Tyler Toffoli out this week, Lehkonen will surely solidify his place in the lineup. Lehkonen had his typical strong game on Saturday and displayed why it was a mistake to have him sitting on the sidelines.
  • Tomas Tatar
    Tatar had a good game in what has been a very inconsistent season for him and his lineups. Tatar and Phillip Danault have to show that the performance was more than just a one game blip on the radar.

Keys to Victory

  • Play a responsible defensive game
    The Habs haven’t played well defensively this season other than a few games after the coaching change. As Ducharme has implemented more parts of his system, the defensive responsibilities have once again taken a back seat. A focus on defence is necessary as the two hottest scorers in the league will put them to the test.
  • Make smart decisions
    The decision making was off for the Habs and they can’t afford to repeat that again and expect to win.
  • Win special teams
    The Habs power play continues to be hot with both units performing. Habs need to do everything they can to draw penalties and play to their strengths. 
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 22, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN1, CITY, TVAS | GAME POSTPONED due to NHL COVID protocol

2020-21 statistics
OILERS CANADIENS
42 (8th) Points (rank) 37 (13th)
21-13-0 Record 14-8-9
9-5-0 Away/Home 6-5-2
7-3-0 Last 10 4-2-4
3.41 GF/G 3.19
2.85 GA/G 2.71
27.0 (5th) PP% (rank) 23.8 (13th)
76.0 (22nd) PK% (rank) 76.4 (19th)
42.46  CF% 54.74
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme
  • “[Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl] are definitely a huge part of their team’s offense. There’s no doubt about it. We always have to make sure to stay active and take away their time and space.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Draisaitl – McDavid – Puljujarvi
Kahun – Nugent-Hopkins – Archibald
Ennis – Haas – Kassian
Shore – Khaira – Chiasson		 Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Byron – Evans – Perry
Defensemen
Nurse – Barrie
Lagesson – Larsson
Russell – Bear		 Edmundson – Weber
Kulak – Petry
Romanov – Mete
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Turris, Jones, Neal
Injured: Yamamoto, Koekkoek
 Scratched: Ouellet
Injured: Chiarot (hand), Toffoli (lower-body)
Goalies
Mike Smith Carey Price
Record: 11-3-0
GAA: – 2.34
Sv%: – .922
SO: 0
Alternate: Mikko Koskinen		 Record: 10-5-5
GAA: – 2.71
Sv%: – .903
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Habs and Oilers play a three game series over the next few days. So far the Habs have won two and lost one to the Oilers. Its been awhile since they have played and the Oilers are on a three game win streak.

Bottom Line

Habs will have to be sharp early and using their depth will once again be key.
 Video Highlights

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