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Schueneman Will Play | PREVIEW: MTL @ TOR

Sam Gerber

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

The Habs ran out of steam and collapsed in the third period as the strong play over the last few games was gone. The Habs role players were getting the job done but with such a depleted line-up the Canes were too big of a task. It won’t get any easier for the Habs as more injuries and a new look Leafs team host the Habs.

Last game: MTL 2  CAR 6  F

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

Players to Watch

  • Joel Armia
    With all the injuries Armia has been put in a top 6 role and has played some of his best hockey in a long time. Keeping this level of play up will be key as Armia is a very streaky player that if consistent could be one of the hardest players to go up against as he has the size and strength to keep players off with little to no effort.
  • Jake Allen
    Fresh off a shutout, Allen will be in for a hard night against one of the best offenses in the league. Giving up nothing easy, no bad rebounds and getting whistles often to help slow the game down should be Allen’s focus tonight.
  • Corey Schueneman
    With the injury to Arber Xhekaj, Schueneman makes his season debut. Habs fans should be familiar with the mobile defender who has played over the last two seasons. He could could have been with the big club if not for the play of four rookie defenseman. This is a great chance for Schueneman to show he is at the NHL level.

Keys to Victory

  • Sustain the effort
    The Habs are out matched in every way tonight but can make up for that with their effort. Everyone finishing their checks, tying up their guy and being locked in not allowing the Leafs to get anything easy will be key.
  • Slow the game down
    The Leafs are going to want to play fast and control the game, the Habs have to drag this game out not let there be any momentum disrupting the flow of the game if they want to try and win this game.
  • Keep it close
    Even if nothing goes right for the Habs tonight, keeping it close will be a good moral victory as getting blown out in back to back games will be hard on the Habs.
Statistical Matchup for Game 56
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | February 18, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, CITY, TVAS, ESPN+

2022-23  statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
74 (4th) Points (rank) 50 (26th)
33-14-8 Record 23-28-4
W1 Streak L1
6-3-1 Last 10 4-5-1
3.38 (9th) GF/G (rank) 2.66 (28th)
2.66 (5th) GA/G (rank) 3.64 (28th)
25.0 (6th) PP% (rank) 17.0 (28th)
80.6 (13th) PK% (rank) 73.8 (28th)
52.3  Faceoff % 49.5
Pre-game 
Marty St. Louis on Sean Monahan’s progress
  • “Honestly, he’s kinda plateaued, and we’ll see what next week brings.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Bunting – Matthews – Nylander
O’Reilly – Tavares – Marner
Kerfoot – Kampf – Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese – Acciari – Engvall		 Harvey-Pinard – Suzuki – Anderson
Armia – Dvorak – Drouin
Dadonov – Belzile – Hoffman
Pezzetta – Pitlick – Ylonen
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Giordano – Liljegren
Sandin – Holl		 Harris – Savard
Matheson – Barron
Schueneman – Kovacevic
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Benn, Anderson, Timmins
Injured: Muzzin, Robertson, Mete, Murray, Samsonov		 Scratched: Wideman
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Guhle (lower-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Evans (lower-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Caufield (shoulder), Edmundson (upper-body), Xhekaj (upper-body), Dach (illness)
Goalies
Joseph Woll Jake Allen
Record: 0-1-0
GAA: 4.21
Sv%: .900
SO: 0
Alternate: Erik Kallgren		 Record: 12-17-2
GAA: 3.42
Sv%: .895
SO: 1
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The Leafs made a blockbuster deal last night acquiring former Blues captain and Stanley Cup winner Ryan O’Reilly and depth center Noel Acciari. The move was a big move as the Leafs made their decision and are going for it this year. Both players are expected to play tonight and the Habs have their work cut out for them. Doesn’t look like a fun night ahead for the Habs but these two teams always put on a special game when they play.

Bottom Line

his game means almost nothing for the Habs as they have their sites on next season, but getting out of it with no more injuries and an effort to be proud of is all Habs fans can ask for.
 Video Highlights

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