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Weekly Forecast: Assessing the Habs as They Face Bolts, Caps, Devils, Panthers

Ty Prater
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Weekly Forecast: Assessing the Habs as They Face Bolts, Caps, Devils, Panthers
(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

All Habs Weekly Forecast gives a first look of the week ahead for your Montreal Canadiens. Hockey writer Ty Prater maps out the schedule, provides a statistical comparison of each matchup, identifies players to watch, as well as strengths and weaknesses of each team and provides links to our game reports for the season series. Bookmark this page and use it as your guide for each game in the Canadiens schedule this week. The Weekly Forecast combined with our popular Game Day feature provides you with the best information available as you prepare for puck drop.

by Tyler Prater, Hockey Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

LEXINGTON, KY — This week the Canadiens play two at home and two on the road, hosting Tampa Bay and Washington before heading to New Jersey and Florida. Last week, the Habs went 1-1-1, clinching a playoff spot after their 3-2 overtime win against Florida last Saturday.

Calendar: March 30 – April 5
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
 Tampa Bay Lightning Devils Logo Florida Panthers
HOME HOME AWAY AWAY

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Montreal Canadiens
  • The Habs (47-21-8) are coming off a 3-2 win against the Panthers last Saturday and start their week Monday against Tampa Bay. Montreal is first in the Atlantic Division and third in the league with 102 points. They are 5-3-2 in their last ten games played.
Players to Watch
  • Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty has five points in his last five games and ten game-winning goals this season (2nd).
  • David Desharnais. Desharnais has three points in his last five games and four game-winning goals this season.
Strengths (+) Weaknesses (-)
  • Montreal has been tough to score on all year, leading the league with a 2.18 goals against average.
  • The Habs hurt themselves by not getting many shots during the games, averaging just 28.4 shots per game (26th).

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Monday

Tampa Bay Lightning
  • The Lightning (46-23-7) are coming off a 4-0 loss against Detroit last Saturday and start their week Monday at Montreal. Tampa Bay is second in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the league with 99 points. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
  • Ryan Callahan. Callahan has three points in his last four games and 51 points this season.
  • Ondrej Palat.  Palat has four assists in his last five games and 41 total assists this season.
Strengths (+) Weaknesses (-)
  • The Lightning leads the league in goals per game with a 3.18 average.
  • Tampa Bay’s power-play is struggling at 17.7 per cent (20th.)
Matchup
Monday March 30 | Montreal, QC.

CANADIENS  (statistics as of March 29, 2015) LIGHTNING
102 (2nd) Points 99 (5th)
25-8-5 (home) Home/Away Record 16-15-6 (away)
2.55 (23rd) Goals per game 3.18 (1st)
2.18 (1st) Goals Against per game 2.54 (12th)
28.4 (26th) Shots per game 29.4 (21st)
30.5 (23rd) Shots Against per game 27.6 (5th)
16.2% (25th) Power-play 17.7% (20th)
84.1% (7th) Penalty-kill 83.5% (9th)

Season Series

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Thursday

Washington Capitals
  • The Capitals (41-25-10) are coming off a 5-2 win against the Rangers last Sunday. They will play Carolina Tuesday before playing the Habs Thursday. Washington is fourth in the Metropolitan Division and 11th in the league with 92 points. They are 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
  • Marcus Johansson. Johansson has four points in his last three games and 43 points this season.
  • Nicklas Backstrom.  Backstrom had one assist in his last game and he leads the league 55 assists this year.
Strengths (+) Weaknesses (-)
  • Washington has the best power-play in the league at 24.4 per cent.
  • The Capitals’ penalty-kill is a soft spot for the Habs to exploit at 81.8 per cent.
Matchup
Thursday April 2 | Montreal, QC.

CANADIENS  (statistics as of March 29, 2015) CAPITALS
102 (2nd) Points 92 (11th)
25-8-5 (home) Home/Away Record 20-13-5 (away)
2.55 (23rd) Goals per game 2.88 (8th)
2.18 (1st) Goals Against per game 2.42 (6th)
28.4 (26th) Shots per game 29.8 (18th)
30.5 (23rd) Shots Against per game 28.8 (10th)
16.2% (25th) Power-play 24.4% (1st)
84.1% (7th) Penalty-kill 81.8% (13th)

Season Series

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Friday

New Jersey Devils
  • The Devils (31-33-12) last game was a 2-1 loss against Anaheim last Sunday. They will play Columbus Tuesday before playing Montreal Friday. New Jersey is seventh in the Metropolitan Division and 25th in the league with 74 points. They are 3-5-2 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
  • Patrik Elias. Elias has three points in his last three games and 32 total this season.
  • Mike Cammalleri.  Cammalleri has two assists in his last three games and 38 points this season.
Strengths (+) Weaknesses (-)
  • The Devils have a productive power=play at 19.1 per cent.
  • New Jersey does not take a lot of shots, averaging just 24.3 shots per game (29th).
Matchup
Friday April 3 | Newark, NJ.

CANADIENS  (statistics as of March 29, 2015) DEVILS
102 (2nd) Points 74 (25th)
22-13-3 (away) Home/Away Record 18-13-8 (home)
2.55 (23rd) Goals per game 2.16 (28th)
2.18 (1st) Goals Against per game 2.46 (10th)
28.4 (26th) Shots per game 24.3 (29th)
30.5 (23rd) Shots Against per game 30.6 (24th)
16.2% (25th) Power-play 19.1% (10th)
84.1% (7th) Penalty-kill 81.2% (16th)

Season Series

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Sunday

Florida Panthers
  • The Panthers (35-26-15) last game was a 4-2 win against Ottawa last Sunday. They will play Tampa Bay Saturday before playing Montreal Sunday. Florida is sixth in the Atlantic Division and 19th in the league with 85 points. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
Players to Watch
  • Jaromir Jagr. Jagr has five points in his last four games and 41 points this season.
  • Jonathan Huberdeau.  Huberdeau has six points in his last four games, including two assists against Montreal last Saturday.
Strengths (+) Weaknesses (-)
  • The Panthers get a lot of scoring chances, averaging 30.8 shots a game.
  • Florida’s power-play is cold at 15.8 per cent.
Matchup
Sunday April 5 | Sunrise, FL.

CANADIENS  (statistics as of March 29, 2015) PANTHERS
102 (2nd) Points 85 (19th)
22-13-3 (away) Home/Away Record 18-11-7 (home)
2.55 (23rd) Goals per game 2.40 (25th)
2.18 (1st) Goals Against per game 2.59 (14th)
28.4 (26th) Shots per game 30.8 (12th)
30.5 (23rd) Shots Against per game 29.5 (14th)
16.2% (25th) Power-play 15.8% (27th)
84.1% (7th) Penalty-kill 80.2% (23rd)

Season Series

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