GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets
Game Preview
A Look Back
It’s never too late to get excited as the Habs have now won four games in a row. The Habs have a new found confidence led by their first line with three goals. Sam Montembeault earned his first career shutout stopping all 32 shots.
Jeff Petry
Petry is alive and playing his best hockey of the season. It’s exactly what the Habs needed to boost his trade value.
Jake Evans
Evans has made leaps in development this season, it wasn’t an easy task for him but Evans just past his career high and has the rest of the season to prove he can be more than a depth forward.
Andrew Hammond
It will be a homecoming for Hammond as he returns to the city where he started his NHL career. Hammond became “The Hamburglar” leading the Seantors to a playoff berth during the 2014-15 season.
Keys to Victory
Score first
The first goal has been key during the winning streak and the Habs will want to keep it going.
Get contributions from depth players
While winning has been great its been mostly one line providing the offence, for the win streak to continue the Habs are going to need some depth scoring.
Win special teams
he Habs may have been counted out for the season but their power-play has been hot of late and will be another key to victory.
Statistical Matchup for Game 53
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON | February 26, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SN1, SNE, CITY, TVAS, ESPN+
2021-22 statistics
SENATORS
CANADIENS
43 (26th)
Points (rank)
31 (32nd)
19-26-5
Record
12-33-7
W1
Streak
W4
5-4-1
Last 10
4-6-0
2.66 (25th)
GF/G (rank)
2.29 (31st)
3.16 (22nd)
GA/G (rank)
3.79 (32nd)
16.6 (27th)
PP% (rank)
12.6 (31st)
80.9 (13th)
PK% (rank)
74.4 (30th)
48.0
Faceoff %
48.1
Pre-game Quotes
Rem Pitlick
“It’s just cool to be with the Montreal Canadiens. There’s so much history and it’s just such a hockey town. It’s the epicenter and I love hockey, so it feels good.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Stutzle – Gaudette
Sanford – Paul – Brown
Formenton – Tierney – Ennis
Kelly – White – Watson
Scratched: Mete Injured: Batherson, Norris, Pinto, Gambrell COVID-19:
Scratched: Paquette, Schueneman Injured: Byron (upper-bodyd), T. Pitlick (undisclosed), Armia (facial injury), Dvorak (upper-body), Savard (ankle), Allen (lower-body), Drouin (wrist), Edmundson (back), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries) COVID-19:
Goalies
Matt Murray
Andrew Hammond
Record: 5-9-2 GAA: 2.69 Sv%: .919 SO: 1 Alternate: Anton Forsberg
Record: 1-0-0 GAA: 1.85 Sv%: .938 SO: 0 Alternate: Sam Montembeault
Game Expectations
The matchup of two teams at the bottom of the league isn’t usually a big draw but the Habs and Sens will always be rivals who can deliver an exciting game. Fans may expect a few penalties to be called during an intense contest making special teams all the more important.
Bottom Line
Despite the four-game winning streak, the Habs still find themselves at the bottom of the standings looking to secure a top spot in the NHL Entry Draft.