Wideman Returns | PREVIEW: CAR @ MTL

By
Sam Gerber
-
0
23

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

Game Preview 

A Look Back

It was a defensive nightmare early on as the Golden Knights took advantage of banged up Habs blueline. It was nice to see the Habs battle back in the third period even down by three goals. It was a much closer game than expected them. Things don’t get any easier as the Habs host one of the best teams in the league tonight in the Carolina Hurricanes.

Last game: MTL 3  VGK 4  F

For a complete game recap: Vegas Tilt | RECAP: MTL @ VGK

Players to Watch

  • Nick Suzuki
    It’s not easy being a young captain on a bad team but Suzuki has held himself quite well this season. He is about to reach the 50 point mark in back-to-back seasons. There’s a strong belief the best is yet to come from the Habs captain.
  • Michael Matheson
    Fresh off his shared Molson Cup win for his play last month, Matheson has become comfortable with the Habs. While he might not be an elite top-pairing defenceman, Matheson is good at all ends of the ice. He still has a lot of hockey ahead of him while he can become a veteran leader for the Habs young blueline.
  • Rafael Harvey-Pinard
    Harvey-Pinard continues to make the most of his opportunity now with 12 points in 19 NHL games. While many believe this isn’t sustainable, his compete level is never questioned. He is the type of player you want on your team and Harvey-Pinard should be given a chance next season to earn a roster spot.

Keys to Victory

  • Play defensive hockey
    The Habs defense is banged up and depleted. Keeping it simple will go a long way for them to handle this bump in the road.
  • Win special teams
    The Canes have a great power play and the Habs would be best to avoid it or they will be in for a long night.
  • Compete hard
    The Habs showed they aren’t going to give up anything easy and are going to battle back in games. Having that compete level for a full game is what the Habs need to do.
Statistical Matchup for Game 64
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | March 7, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, BSSO

2022-23  statistics
HURRICANES CANADIENS
90 (2nd) Points (rank) 56 (27th)
41-12-8 Record 26-33-4
W2 Streak L3
7-3-0 Last 10 4-6-0
3.43 (7th) GF/G (rank) 2.68 (27th)
2.51 (2nd) GA/G (rank) 3.57 (27th)
22.0 (13th) PP% (rank) 16.3 (31st)
83.2 (4th) PK% (rank) 74.1 (28th)
53.0  Faceoff % 49.4
Pre-game 
Denis Gurianov on playing his first game at the Bell Centre

  • “It’s special! It’s a hockey town; I played here for the World Juniors and I remember the fans were loud. I love it!”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Svechnikov – Aho – Jarvis
Teravainen – Kotkaniemi – Necas
Martinook – Staal – Fast
Noesen – Stastny – Stepan		 Harvey-Pinard – Suzuki – Ylonen
Hoffman – Drouin – Anderson
Pitlick – Dvorak – Gurianov
Pezzetta – Tierney – Belzile
Defensemen
Slavin – Burns
Skjei – Pesce
Gostisbehere – Chatfield		 Matheson – Savard
Edmundson – Wideman
Harris – Kovacevic
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Coghlan, DeHaan, Puljujarvi
Injured: Gardiner, Kase, Pacioretty		 Scratched: none
Injured: Byron (hip), Price (knee), Monahan (lower-body), Gallagher (lower-body), Evans (lower-body), Slafkovsky (lower-body), Caufield (shoulder), Xhekaj (upper-body), Dach (lower-body), Armia (illness), Barron (upper-body), Guhle (upper-body)
Goalies
Antti Raanta Jake Allen
Record: 16-2-3
GAA: 2.26
Sv%: .909
SO: 3
Alternate: Frederik Andersen		 Record: 14-20-2
GAA: 3.36
Sv%: .897
SO: 1
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The first game back after a long road trip is never easy. In addition the Habs are facing  second place team in the league. Former Hab Jesperi Kotkaniemi had quite the week (five points in his last game) for the Canes and is starting to find his groove. The Canes roster is deep and have goal scorers on every line and the Habs will need to be disciplined and smart tonight to have a chance at stealing a win.

Bottom Line

Once again keeping this game close and having a strong effort that makes Habs fans proud is all that’s asked of the Habs tonight.
 Video Highlights

Follow @AllHabs on Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR