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

A Look Back

Pittsburgh had the impression that they were taking momentum early when they scored 1:52 into the first period. After review, the goal was called back. Evgenii Malkin, hungry for the net, scored twice but was spoiled when the Montreal young guns scored two  unanswered goals. Cole Caufield tied with 2:20 remaining and Kirby Dach scored his first in a Canadiens sweater in overtime, keeping the club undefeated at home.

Last game: MTL 3  PIT 2  F/OT

For a complete game recap: Confidence Boost | RECAP: PIT @ MTL

Players to Watch

• Kaiden Guhle
  Guhle has been nothing short of fantastic over the first three games of the season but waited until the fourth to notch the first two points of his NHL career helping to send the game into overtime on Monday night. Guhle has held the blueline with poise and maturity, proving why he belongs in the lineup. It’s early but he’s bound for excellence if he continues on this path.
• Kirby Dach
  The 6-foot-4-inch Alberta native appears to be finding his rhythm. Scoring the game winner against the Penguins could be the boost Dach needed to start producing at an elevated rate. Dach and Sean Monahan have been showing chemistry and if kept together could start putting points on the board.
• Evgenii Dadonov
  The Russian winger known for his point producing abilities, hasn’t been very noticeable on the ice. It could be frustrating for Dadonov as he’s had looks but just has not been able to capitalize. He’ll be looking to contribute more moving forward and will have a perfect opportunity against a weaker Arizona team.

Keys to Victory

• Use home ice 
  In four games to start the season, the Canadiens have two losses, both on the road and two home wins. They should feed off of the crowd continuing to use their energy  to swing momentum to their advantage.
• Win faceoffs
  Montreal currently sits seventh in the league bolstering a 54.6 percent faceoff win rate. The team has been winning key faceoffs and it’s proven to be an important aspect of their game..
• Be offensively-minded
  The Canadiens need to play more offensive hockey to create opportunities around the net. They were able to beam 39 shots on the Penguins netminder Casey DeSmith but only managed five high-danger scoring chances in three periods plus overtime. Generating high quality chances against the Coyotes will be key.

2022-23  statistics

• “When you look a bit at a guy like him, you realize how calm [Kaiden Guhle] is. He makes the right decisions. Sometimes the youngest get into trouble by not making the right decisions, but he already has a certain maturity in his game, in addition to possessing this quiet confidence.”

Bottom Line