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Perreault, Kulak, Wideman Return | PREVIEW: COL @ MTL

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Habs were able to keep the game close but were out worked for most of the game, giving up 21 shots in a single period isn’t a good recipe to win. It was nice to see a low scoring tight checking game but there wasn’t any motivation to comeback in the third.

Last game: MTL 1  VAN 2  F

For a complete game recap: Without A Fight | RECAP: VAN @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Jake Allen
    Allen has had two strong performances in a row. The Habs are giving up too many shots but at least they are limiting high danger chances. If Allen continues to step up, it could boost his trade value.
  • Jonathan Drouin
    Once again Drouin continues to show flashes of his elite talent; the only issue is it still is only flashes. Finding that high end level of play for a full sixty minutes has been a struggle his entire career.
  • Jake Evans
    Evans has been a slight bright spot for the Habs this season, he’s starting to believe in himself more and is starting to play to his strengths.

Keys to Victory

  • Commit to forecheck
    The Avs have a very mobile defence and love to the puck, the Habs have to be on them right from the get go not giving them any space or time to escape.
  • Come out strong
    After a blowout loss last night the Avs are going to come out with something to prove and the Habs have to be ready. A good start will put the Avs on their heels again.
  • Win special teams
    A powerplay goal was the difference maker last game and the Habs know all to well that they have to win the special teams to have a chance at winning.
Statistical Matchup for Game 25
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | December 2, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, ALT

2021-22  statistics
AVALANCHE CANADIENS
23 (20th) Points (rank) 14 (29th)
11-6-1 Record 6-16-2
L1 Streak L1
7-3-0 Last 10 3-6-1
3.95 (1st) GF/G (rank) 2.29 (29th)
3.37 (27th) GA/G (rank) 3.54 (31st)
22.1 (9th) PP% (rank) 12.5 (31st)
76.5 (26th) PK%  (rank) 68.1 (31st)
47.1  Faceoff % 48.0
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme
  • “I like the way [Ryan Poehling] skates. He makes simple, yet effective plays. He also demonstrates consistency in this. We will see if he is able to take on more.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Landeskog – MacKinnon – Rantanen
Nichushkin – Kadri – Burakovsky
Aube-Kubel – Newhook – O’Connor
Helm – Jost – Megna		 Lehkonen – Suzuki – Evans
Toffoli – Dvorak – Anderson
Drouin – Poehling – Armia
Pezzetta – Perreault – Caufield
Defensemen
Toews – Makar
Byram – Girard
J. Johnson – E. Johnson		 Chiarot – Savard
Kulak – Petry
Romanov – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: MacDermid
Injured: Compher, Kaut, Francouz, Murray, Kuemper		 Scratched: Paquette, Norlinder
Injured: Edmundson (lower-body), Hoffman (upper-body), Price (knee), Byron (hip), Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID protocol: Gallagher, Niku
Goalies
Jonas Johansson Jake Allen
Record: 2-2-1
GAA: 3.99
Sv%: .884
SO: 0
Alternate: Darcy Kuemper		 Record: 5-10-1
GAA: 2.96
Sv%: .907
SO: 2
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
This will be a big test for the Habs, Colorado has under performed this season and currently are not in a playoff spot. This is a win the Avs have to have and are likely going to come out flying. The Habs on the other hand have played some of their better hockey of late and could look to play spoiler.

Bottom Line

The Habs rebuild has yet to start but it is time to start show casing players to boost their trade value.
 Video Highlights

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