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Primeau to Start | PREVIEW: MTL @ NYR

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

Good teams find a way to win and bad teams find a way to lose. Perhaps both were the reason for the Habs loss versus the Bruins. Habs were in good shape after two periods but everything changed in a hurry. An early power-play goal shortly followed by an own goal put the Habs behind early in the third. With the Habs starting their third string goaltender it was a shock they were even in this game. But not managing to earn a single point when having the lead after two periods will cost the Habs dearly.

Last game: MTL 2  BOS 5  F

For a complete game recap: Third Period Collapse | RECAP: MTL @ BOS

Players to Watch

  • Christian Dvorak
    Dvorak played one of his best games for the Habs but it still wasn’t enough. The coaching staff needs to do everything they can to get him going as so far the only good thing from the trade is that the pick is top 10 protected and the Habs will likely be keeping it and being in the Shane Wright sweepstakes.
  • Ryan Poehling
    Poehling has been given an increased role, and he hasn’t disappointed. It’s a shame it’s taken this long for Poehling to get a chance this season. He needs to continue to play hard to stay in the lineup.
  • Jeff Petry
    Petry having a bad game continues to be a trend this season, Petry is at fault for the injury to Jake Allen and last game was at fault for the first two goals in the third that changed the game. A decision must be made to either give Petry a break, possibly heal an injury or collect himself but the Habs need him to figure it out fast or this season will continue to be a tough one.

Keys to Victory

  • Use speed
    Speed continues to be the Habs greatest strength yet it continues not to be used. The Rangers are a fast team and will pounce on the Habs if they aren’t ready to skate.
  • Be disciplined
    The Rangers have one of the best power-plays in the league and the Habs should not dare to test it. It will be playing with fire if they do and the Habs cannot afford to give the Rangers any more advantages.
  • Take quality shots
    Habs need to start generating shots as they often are on the wrong of the shot totals. High danger shots will always be preferred but just smart hockey with point shots through traffic and battling for rebounds is what it will take for the Habs to win.
Statistical Matchup for Game 18
Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY | November 16, 7:00 PM ET | TV: RDS, TSN2, ESPN+

2021-22  statistics
RANGERS CANADIENS
13 (17th) Points (rank) 10 (29th)
9-3-3 Record 4-11-2
W3 Streak L1
6-2-2 Last 10 3-5-2
2.73 GF/G 2.12
2.87 GA/G 3.41
21.3 (14th) PP% (rank) 14.3 (28th)
78.7 (22nd) PK%  (rank) 70.7 (29th)
46.9  Faceoff % 47.3
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme
  • “[Cayden Primeau]has to keep the same plan and attack this game the same way, despite being at a different level.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Kreider – Zibanejad – Goodrow
Panarin – Strome – Kakko
Lafreniere  – Chytil – Gauthier
Hunt – Rooney – Reaves		 Toffoli – Suzuki – Gallagher
Drouin – Dvorak – Anderson
Lehkonen – Evans – Armia
Pezzetta – Poehling – Belzile
Defensemen
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Nemeth – Lundkvist		 Chiarot – Petry
Kulak – Savard
Romanov – Wideman
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Tinordi, McKegg
Injured: Blais		 Scratched: Niku, Brooks, Norlinder
Injured: Allen (concussion), Paquette (undisclosed), Hoffman (upper body), Perreault (eye), Edmundson (lower-body), Price (knee), Byron (hip), Weber (multiple injuries)
Goalies
Igor Shesterkin Cayden Primeau
Record: 7-2-2
GAA: 2.46
Sv%: .929
SO: 1
Alternate: Alexandar Georgiev		 Record: 0-0-0
GAA: 0.00
Sv%: .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
This game could get ugly in a hurry. The Rangers are a deep team with mobile defenders and excellent goaltending. It’s the reason they are near the top of the standings. The Habs are injured, beaten, and disorganized. It will take several players to step up for the Habs to win this one.

Bottom Line

With a long shot to win the Habs need to make the most of the opportunity and give the most deserving players the extra ice time.
 Video Highlights

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