Primeau Recalled | PREVIEW: MTL @ CHI

By
Rick Stephens
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GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Chicago Blackhawks: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview (with notes from Cole Jurzyniec)

A Look Back

Brad Marchand scored twice in 15 seconds in the first period on his way to his fifth career hat trick. Jake Allen left the game after the second Bruins goal with an injury and did not return. Tempers flared in the third period providing the only resemblance to the historic Bruins – Canadiens rivalry.

Last game: MTL 1  BOS 5  F

For a complete game recap: Hostilities Renewed | RECAP: MTL @ BOS

Players to Watch

  • Michael Pezzetta
    In a difficult season, Pezzetta has played an entertaining brand of hockey for fans.  With 60 hits in 22 games played, the 23-year-old brings a gritty, physical game to the ice. Pezzetta can be effective when getting under the skin of his opponents.
  • Artturi Lehkonen
    Lehkonen continues to prove his value by playing with speed, intelligence and intensity. He consistently creates opportunities for his linemates and covers their mistakes. Playoff bound teams may be reaching out to Jeff Gorton to inquire about his availability.
  • Jeff Petry
    It’s difficult to fathom that Petry has just two assists in 28 games played. In addition his defensive play is mired in poor decision-making. At this point, raising his level of play significantly may help move him at the trade deadline.

Keys to Victory

  • Light the lamp
    The Habs offence is the worst in the league at 2.09 goals per game. In the past three contests, they have scored a total of just three goals. They must start creating more high-danger scoring chances.
  • Go to the net
    Dominique Ducharme has sent a message to his players in practice this week that he wants them going to the front of the net. The message hasn’t been received favorably by all forwards as the head coach got into a heated argument with Jonathan Drouin about the issue.
  • Play physical
    The Canadiens are fifth in the NHL with 26 hits per game. This can be indicative of a team who is chasing the game but the Habs can use a hard-nosed game to win puck battles.
Statistical Matchup for Game 36
United Center, Chicago, IL | January 13, 8:30 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, NBCSH
teamlogo_blackhawks

2021-22  statistics
BLACKHAWKS CANADIENS
31 (26th) Points (rank) 18 (32nd)
13-18-5 Record 7-24-4
W2 Streak L3
3-4-3 Last 10 1-7-2
2.33 (29th) GF/G (rank) 2.09 (32nd)
3.36 (25th) GA/G (rank) 3.66 (29th)
18.1 (21st) PP% (rank) 10.5 (32nd)
75.2 (27th) PK%  (rank) 72.8 (28th)
49.0  Faceoff % 47.2
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme

  • “[On Wednesday night] nobody was in ideal conditions. Some spent more time away from the rink than others. So we will not put anyone in the dock. Eventually, the more players return, the more competition there will be for playing time and a role.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Borgstrom – Strome – Kane
DeBrincat – Toews – Kubalik
Kurashev – Dach – Entwhistle
Khaira – Carpenter – Connolly		 Hoffman – Suzuki – Evans
Drouin – Dvorak – Pitlick
Lehkonen – Poehling – Caufield
Pezzetta – Dauphin – Armia
Defensemen
De Haan – Murphy
Stillman – Galvas
C. Jones – Mitchell		 Chiarot – Savard
Kulak – Petry
Romanov – Schueneman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Gustafsson, Lafferty, Hagel
Injured: T. Johnson, R. Johnson
COVID-19: McCabe, S. Jones
Taxi squad:		 Scratched: Niku, Clague, Wideman (suspension), Paquette, Vejdemo
Injured: Allen (undisclosed), Byron (hip), Gallagher (lower-body), Perreault (undisclosed), Anderson (upper-body), Edmundson (back), Toffoli (hand), Price (knee), Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID-19: Belzile, Harvey-Pinard
Taxi squad: McNiven, Ylonen
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury Sam Montembeault
Record: 11-11-2
GAA: 2.88
Sv%: .910
SO: 2
Alternate: Kevin Lankinen		 Record: 1-6-2
GAA: 3.99
Sv%: .895
SO: 0
Alternate: Cayden Primeau
 Game Expectations
It will be an emotional night as Andrew Shaw is honored celebrating his 10-year NHL career prior to puck drop. In addition to his time in Chicago, Shaw spent three seasons with the Canadiens.

Bottom Line

The Blackhawks are 13-2-2 in their last 17 matches with the Canadiens. In their contest on December 9th, Chicago beat Montreal 2-0 with Marc-Andre Fleury being serenaded by the Bell Centre fans after he picked up his 500th career win.
 Video Highlights

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