GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets
Game Preview (with contributions from Cole Jurzyniec)
A Look Back
The Blues scored just one minute into the game and continued to dominate for 60 minutes. Apart from Alexander Romanov’s wrister from the blueline, Charlie Lindgren shut the door against his former team for his third straight win.
Ryan Poehling
Poehling continues to be a force on the ice, utilizing his body and speed to create space. If he remains on this trajectory furthering his development, it’s reasonable to assume that the 22-year-old may see top line minutes in the near future.
Alexander Romanov
Leading the Canadiens physical play, Romanov is in the top-ten in the NHL with 88 hits this season. Romanov separates attackers from the puck and makes forwards think twice about entering the Montreal zone on his side.
Nick Suzuki
Suzuki has tallied just two goals, two assists in the past 14 games with a minus-8 rating. Suzuki will find himself with another new winger as the coach’s never-ending carousel continues in an attempt to spark his team.
Keys to Victory
Score early
The Penguins have proved to be stingy, ranking third in the league in goals against per game this season. The Canadiens will have to score early to get the Pens off their game.
Protect the puck
The Canadiens ranked fourth in the league in giveaways this season. The Penguins are 10th in the league in takeaways. Simple lesson for the Habs: protect the puck.
Clear the zone
With considerable skill out of their lineup, the Penguins have moved to a system that is heavy on the forecheck. The Canadiens defencemen will have to clear the zone smartly to minimize being stuck in their own zone.
Statistical Matchup for Game 30
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA | December 14, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, ATTSN-PT
2021-22 statistics
PENGUINS
CANADIENS
33 (13th)
Points (rank)
15 (31st)
14-8-5
Record
6-20-3
W4
Streak
L3
7-2-1
Last 10
2-7-1
2.93 (15th)
GF/G (rank)
2.14 (31st)
2.44 (3rd)
GA/G (rank)
3.52 (28th)
14.9 (29th)
PP% (rank)
13.1 (30th)
92.4 (1st)
PK% (rank)
70.5 (30th)
51.5
Faceoff %
48.6
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme
“We aren’t generating a lot of offense right now. It takes more pucks directed at the net and more traffic there. That’s what we’re trying to create on all four lines.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Rodrigues – Crosby – Kapanen
Zucker – Carter – Heinen
Aston-Reece – Blueger – McGinn
O’Connor – Boyle – Simon
Record: 5-14-2 GAA: 3.01 Sv%: .906 SO: 2 Alternate: Sam Montembeault
Game Expectations
The Penguins have won four straight games limiting the opposition to just four goals total during that time period. The Canadiens will be forced to work even harder driving to the net to create offence. At home, the Penguins are 5-3-0 in their last eight games against the Canadiens.
Bottom Line
It will be Star Wars Night at the PPG Paints Arena. The Canadiens will need the help of the Force to defeat the evil Empire.