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Senators @ Canadiens: Habs Ready for ‘War’ | 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

It was another great effort by the Habs giving them their seventh win and a tie for first place in the league. The off-season acquisitions who shined for the Habs this game with Tyler Toffoli and Josh Anderson scoring a pair while Jake Allen had a good night in goal. It’s early but I’d give my vote to Marc Bergevin for GM of the Year at this point.

Last game: MTL 5  VAN 3  F

For a complete game recap: Canucks @ Canadiens: Habs Grab Top Spot

Players to Watch

  • Alexander Romanov
    Romanov was given last game off and the Habs had to shuffle their special team units around. It’s rare a rookie has such an impact on a team so early in their career but Romanov isn’t your average rookie and will look to make an impact tonight to stay in the line-up.
  • Phillip Danault
    The Habs need more from Danault and his line as only Brendan Gallagher has been consistent this season. Even when Danault gets a high-danger scoring chance his shot seems to hit the goalie in the chest. Danault will be a key a factor for the Habs down the stretch for how far they go and he needs to start finishing his chances.
  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    Kotkaniemi is playing some good very hockey this season centering Tyler Toffoli, who is at the top of the NHL goal scoring list. Kotkaniemi continues to use his size as he is fifth on the team in hits by forwards.

Keys to Victory

  • Don’t fall into the trap
    The Senators are dead last in the league and have lost seven straight games. The Habs can’t afford to have a let down that could cost them expected points.
  • Use the depth
    The Habs should look to take advantage of their depth tonight. The Senators can’t match any of the Habs lines and it will come down to overall effort and who wants it more.
  • Start fast
    With the Senators in a bad place right now a fast start by the Habs to take control of the game from early is exactly what they need to do. 
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | February 4, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, TSN5

2020-21 statistics
SENATORS CANADIENS
3 (31st) Points (rank) 16 (1st)
1-8-1 Record 7-1-2
0-6-0 Away/Home 3-1-0
1-8-1 Last 10 7-1-2
2.40 GF/G 4.40
4.80 GA/G 2.60
13.6 (24th) PP% (rank) 23.7 (13th)
70.0 (27th) PK% (rank) 79.5 (15th)
49.06  CF% 54.36
Pre-game Quotes
 Joel Edmundson
  • “[The Senators] haven’t produced the way they’ve wanted to, but I’ve watched several of their games and it’s a team that can skate and they check hard, so it’s going to be a fast game out there. We’re ready for war.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Norris – Dadonov
Paul – White – Batherson
Stutzle – Stepan – Brown
Galchenyuk – Tierney – Watson		 Drouin – Suzuki – Anderson
Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Kotkaniemi – Perry
Lehkonen – Evans – Byron
Defensemen
Chabot – Zaitsev
Reilly – Zub
Brannstrom – Gudbranson		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Romanov
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Brown, Paquette, Anisimov
Injured: Wolanin
 Scratched: Mete
Injured: Armia
Goalies
Matt Murray Carey Price
Record: 1-4-1
GAA: – 4.82
Sv%: – .849
SO: 0
Alternate:  Marcus Hogberg		 Record: 4-0-2
GAA: – 2.77
Sv%: – .903
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
A two-game series against the Senators should mean four points for the Habs but it won’t be that easy. The Sens one win has come against the Maple Leafs, the team right behind the Habs in the standings. And the Habs know that losing against bottom tier teams can and will cost them.

Bottom Line

The Sens won’t get pushed around at all but they can be exposed defensively. The Habs will need to focus on winning the game more then sending a message.
 Video Highlights

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