Site icon Habs Hockey Report

Senators @ Canadiens: Habs Begin Homestand | PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

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

The Habs out-chanced and out-shot the Jets and were much better defensively. However, the Jets demonstrated skill to capitalize in overtime.

Last game: MTL 1  WPG  2  F/OT

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Jets: Habs Lose in OT

Players to Watch

  • Tyler Toffoli
    Tyler Toffoli had another great game but was unable to find the back net even with six shots on goal. Toffoli has been the most consistent threat for the Habs since the start of the season.
  • Phillip Danault
    Phillip Danault is no longer the Habs best defensive forward. He has been struggling on both sides of the puck and his value has dropped tremendously this season. Danault continues to be given ice-time and excellent linemates. Will he make a difference tonight?
  • Tomas Tatar
    Tatar’s game has been missing this season. He’s not getting the ice time he is familiar with but he needs to do something to deserve it.

Keys to Victory

  • Manage the reality
    Ducharme made a tactical mistake in overtime last game. He needs to put players in a position to succeed. If players fail to execute something beyond their capabilities,  the blame falls on the coach.
  • Repeat the effort
    If the Habs play a strong defensive game like they played against the Jets, they should easily be able to handle the Sens.
  • Win special teams
    Tight games seem to  come down to play on special teams. Until the Habs become consistently better on power-play and penalty-kill, they will lose close contests.
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 2, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, TSN5

2020-21 statistics
SENATORS CANADIENS
17 (28th) Points (rank) 23 (16th)
8-15-1 Record 9-6-5
3-9-0 Away/Home 3-5-0
6-4-0 Last 10 2-5-3
2.71 GF/G 3.25
3.83 GA/G 2.90
15.5 (25th) PP% (rank) 18.6 (19th)
75.0 (24th) PK% (rank) 76.0 (22nd)
50.70  CF% 57.08
Pre-game Quotes
Paul Byron
  • “Everyone on this team still believes that [Carey Price] is the best goaltender in the world. I think we’re giving up too many good scoring chances when he’s in there. We can’t allow those kinds of chances. We have to play smart. We have to be careful not to make costly mistakes. We have a lot of confidence in our team and in Carey.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Tierney – Brown
Paul – White – Dadonov
Stutzle – Norris – Batherson
Haley – Anisimov – Watson		 Drouin – Suzuki – Toffoli
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Kotkaniemi – Armia
Byron – Evans – Perry
Defensemen
Chabot – Zaitsev
Reilly – Zub
Brannstrom – Gudbranson		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Dzingel, Wolanin, Gustavsson
Injured: Hogberg
 Scratched: Mete
Injured: Anderson (lower body)
Goalies
Joey Daccord Carey Price
Record: 0-0-0
GAA: – 0.00
Sv%: – .000
SO: 0
Alternate: Matt Murray		 Record: 5-4-3
GAA: – 3.13
Sv%: – .888
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Sens have won four out of their last five games while the Habs have lost five straight. It shows how close this division really is and you can’t underestimate any team.

Bottom Line

While the Habs haven’t been themselves the changes from their new coach have started to sink in and the losing streak should be over tonight.
 Video Highlights

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

Exit mobile version