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

A Look Back

The Red Wings dismantled a struggling Habs club who have now been shut-out twice in back to back games. Cayden Primeau had a tough showing in net posting a .762 save percentage on 21 shots, while on the other end, Ville Husso able to shut the door for his fourth shut-out of the season. Quebec native David Perron was able to salt the wound with three points at the Bell Centre.

Last game: MTL 0  DET 5  F

For a complete game recap: Second Straight Shutout | RECAP: DET @ MTL

Players to Watch

• Jesse Ylonen
  The Arizona native has been a bright spot for the club this season. In 35 games played the 6-foot winger has found 16 points. Ylönen is on pace to double the amount of games played from last season and could potentially find a permanent spot in the lineup amongst the re-invented roster next year.
• Nick Suzuki
  The young captain caught fire mid-March but has since been extinguished. The former first-rounder has been held pointless in the last five games and will be looking to find some production to close out the season.
• Jake Evans
  Number 71 missed all of February and a majority of March but since being back in the lineup has been bolstering the bottom-six commendably. Evans has a 52.4 winning percentage at the dot and has added four assists in the past six games.

Keys to Victory

• Find a goal
  The Canadiens have been shutout a total of six times this season including the past two games. The team will have no chance if they repeat those efforts. Simply put, score goals.
• Play shut-down hockey
  The Capitals have a few offensive weapons, finding a way to block shooting lanes and applying focus on man coverage will be sure ways to increase their chances of finding a win.
• Get energized
  Even though there’s four games remaining, there’s no excuse to shut down early.  It’s a long off-season not being in the playoffs and the Canadiens should bring some competitive spirit to the ice.

2022-23  statistics

• “Regardless of the situation, it’s still such a privilege to play in this League and you don’t know how long you can do that. So, to just mail-in four games, I don’t think is respectful to the opportunity we have in front of us to play in this League.”

Bottom Line