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Senators @ Canadiens: Price Will Start | HABS 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 wasn’t pretty but a win is a win. What was pretty was Tyler Toffoli’s performance scoring both Habs goals including a perfectly placed one touch deflection that secured a key regulation win. Jake Allen had lots of help with the Canadiens playing a tighter defensive game.

Last game: MTL 2  CGY 1

For a complete game recap: Flames @ Canadiens: A Pair for Toffoli

Players to Watch

  • Joel Armia
    Armia has made a strong impact since returning after recovering from COVID. Armia not only set up the winner last game but he brings a physical presence to retrieve and protect the puck.
  • Jeff Petry
    The Habs generated a majority of their offence from the back end to start the season. Petry hasn’t scored in 14 games and has really hurt the Habs with his defensive play. It’s time for Petry to step up again.
  • Phillip Danault
    In the crunch time, Danault was out for the face offs and was beat clean twice, finishing at 40 percent for the night. This is the area he needs to dominate if he wants to excel in the NHL.

Keys to Victory

  • Take quality shots
    The Habs are one of the best 5-on-5 teams but haven’t been playing to their strengths. They need to go back to what works and the shots will come.
  • Attack the net
    The Sens have the youngest defence in the league, while they are all very mobile they can be overwhelmed and physically beat. The Habs experienced this first hand with Mete the last few seasons but now in Ottawa he will have something to prove.
  • Win special teams
    The Jets and Oilers are tied for the second best power play in the league. The Habs special teams needs to step up to have a chance at reaching the post season and to make a difference.  
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | April 17, 4:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, TSN5

2020-21 statistics
SENATORS CANADIENS
32 (30th) Points (rank) 47 (16th)
14-26-4 Record 19-13-9
5-16-0 Away/Home 10-9-2
3-6-1 Last 10 5-5-0
2.64 GF/G 3.02
3.71 GA/G 2.73
15.9 (27th) PP% (rank) 19.8 (16th)
76.1 (25th) PK% (rank) 77.3 (23rd)
45.65  CF% 53.50
Pre-game Quotes
Dominique Ducharme
  • “.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Tkachuk – Norris – Batherson
Stutzle – White – Dzingel
Paul – Tierney – Dadonov
Formenton – Pinto – C. Brown		 Toffoli – Suzuki – Armia
Drouin – Kotkaniemi – Anderson
Tatar – Danault – Byron
Lehkonen – Staal – Perry
Defensemen
Chabot – Zaitsev
Brannstrom – Zub
Mete – J. Brown		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Romanov – Kulak
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Amadio, Bernard-Docker, Anisimov, Hogberg
Injured: Daccord, Watson
 Scratched: Frolik, Evans
Injured: Gallagher (hand), Merrill (COVID protocol), Gustafsson (COVID protocol)
Goalies
Matt Murray Carey Price
Record: 7-13-1
GAA: 3.80
Sv%: .882
SO: 0
Alternate: Anton Forsberg		 Record: 12-6-5
GAA: 2.66
Sv%: .903
SO: 1
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The season has been an interesting one for both the Habs and Sens. The Senators surprised some by always being a competitive team for the most part but they have struggled in their last ten games. The Habs started the season hot, ran into some issues including a coaching change that has resulted in the Habs still figuring things out. But with 15 games left for the Habs they’ve almost secured a ticket to the dance of the post season where anything can happen.

Bottom Line

This is a winnable game where the Habs have to prove they are the playoff team and take advantage of the Sens inexperienced lineup.
 Video Highlights

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