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Ylonen Gets A Look | PREVIEW: CHI @ MTL

Rick Stephens

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

Game Preview (with contributions from Cole Jurzyniec)

A Look Back

The Canadiens took advantage of the Stanley Cup champs who were having an off night. But good teams find ways to win. With just over two minutes left, former Habs player Corey Perry was in the right place at the right time to tie the game. And with just 38 seconds remaining Ondrej Palat caught Jake Allen deep in his crease for the Lightning winning goal.

Last game: MTL 2  TBL 3  F

For a complete game recap: Missed Chances | RECAP: TBL @ MTL

Players to Watch

  • Jesse Ylonen
    After shining in Laval with 14 points in 17 games, Ylonen finally received a callup from the Canadiens. Ylonen is an elite skater with strong, smooth strides. He has good hands with a heavy wrist shot. Ylonen plays a mature game with pace.
  • Jake Evans 
    Despite the abundance of injuries Evans, a centre, has been placed on the wing. When asked, Dominique Ducharme created considerable controversy replying, “Do you want to expose a young guy going toe-to-toe every shift with Patrick Kane and  Jonathan Toews tomorrow? Or against MacKinnon and Rantanen? Or last night against Stamkos and Palat every shift?”
  • Mike Hoffman
    Hoffman has just one assist in two games since return to the lineup. Now on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Jonathan Drouin, Hoffman will be expected to help provide the offensive production for the team.

Keys to Victory

  • Be ready
    After a third period collapse to the Rangers on Tuesday night, the Canadiens can expect the Blackhawks to start strong. Despite the two teams being near the bottom of the standings, this is still an original-six matchup at the Bell Centre.
  • Play the youth
    With so many players sidelined due to injuries, it’s time for Dom Ducharme to give the Habs young players significant ice time. They will bring energy to the team while providing an opportunity to see what they can do.
  • Spoil the party
    Marc-Andre Fleury is third on the list of all-time wins for NHL goaltenders with 499 behind only Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur. The Canadiens, particularly Jake Allen, have no interest in seeing Fleury celebrate win No. 500 at the Bell Centre.
Statistical Matchup for Game 28
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | December 9, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN+

2021-22  statistics
BLACKHAWKS CANADIENS
20 (27th) Points (rank) 15 (31st)
9-14-2 Record 6-18-3
L1 Streak L1
5-5-0 Last 10 2-7-1
2.12 (30th) GF/G (rank) 2.26 (29th)
3.24 (24th) GA/G (rank) 3.56 (28th)
16.9 (23rd) PP% (rank) 13.4 (31st)
81.4 (18th) PK%  (rank) 72.3 (29th)
48.7  Faceoff % 48.4
Pre-game Quotes
Jake Allen on Marc-Andre Fleury
  • “It’s one win away, but hopefully not [Thursday]. I have the utmost respect for a guy like him that can play in the League. I think the hardest thing to do as a goalie is play in this League with longevity and consistency. Not many guys can do it. Only a few guys can. Five hundred wins, that puts him just behind Marty (Brodeur) and Patrick (Roy.) It’s just an amazing accomplishment. He’s going to get it this year. It’s incredible.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Hagel – Toews – Kane
DeBrincat – Dach – Strome
Kubalik – Borgstrom – Johnson
Khaira – Slavin – Carpenter		 Hoffman – Suzuki – Drouin
Lehkonen – Poehling – Evans
Perreault – Dauphin – Caufield
Pezzetta – Paquette – Ylonen
Defensemen
De Haan – Jones
Stillman – Gustafsson
Kalynuk – Mitchell		 Chiarot – Savard
Romanov – Wideman
Kulak – Clague
Out of the lineup
Scratched:
Injured: Entwhistle, Johnson, Murphy, McCabe		 Scratched: Schueneman
Injured: Dvorak (lower-body), Armia (undisclosed), Toffoli (upper-body), Edmundson (back), Petry (upper-body), Anderson (upper-body), Price (knee), Byron (hip), Weber (multiple injuries)
COVID-19 protocol: Gallagher, Niku
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury Jake Allen
Record: 7-10-0
GAA: 2.96
Sv%: .908
SO: 1
Alternate: Kevin Lankinen		 Record: 5-12-2
GAA: 3.01
Sv%: .907
SO: 2
Alternate: Sam Montembeault
 Game Expectations
The Canadiens found a way to solve Marc-Andre Fleury in the third round of the playoffs and should take the opportunity to remind him with a couple of early goals. Montreal can relish the chance to delay Fleury’s personal milestone.

Bottom Line

The Canadiens were reminded about the importance of paying attention to details and the value of a full 60-minute effort last game. They can put their learning into practice against the Hawks on Thursday night.
 Video Highlights

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