Montreal Canadiens: (4-1-2) 10 points, 3rd in the Atlantic Division
Calgary Flames: (5-3-0) 10 points, 2nd in the Pacific Division
Game Time: 7:30 Pm
Referees: # 36 Dean Morton, # 25 Marc Joannette
Linesmen: #59 Steve Barton, #81 Ryan Daisy
The Montreal Canadiens are coming into tonight after blowing a 3-1 lead in Ottawa to end up losing to the Sens 4-3 in OT. With the Habs coming off the loss, there will be a some changes in tonight’s line-up. Karl Alzner will be a healthy scratch after playing in the last two games. Victor Mete who has missed the last two games with a hand injury will draw back in to the line-up. Carey Price will get a chance to tie Patrick Roy in franchise wins with 280 career wins, Jacques Plante currently holds the record with 314 wins.
With seven games under his belt it’s starting to sound like Jesperi Kotkaniemi will be spending the entire season with the Habs. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise to Habs fans as he has played great in the seven games and has exceed expectations up to this point. He continues to be on the third line with Joel Armia and Paul Byron. Kotkaniemi has also seen time on the power-play but needs to start shooting the puck a little bit more.
Forward Lines:
Tomas Tatar-Phillip Danault-Brendan Gallagher
Jonathan Drouin-Max Domi-Artturi Lehkonen
Paul Byron-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Joel Armia
Nicolas-Deslauriers-Matthew Peca-Andrew Shaw
Defensive Pairings:
Jordie Benn- Jeff Petry
Mike Reilly- Noah Juulsen
Victor Mete- Xavier Ouellet
Keys to Tonight’s Game:
Faceoffs: The Habs come into tonight with the worst face-off % at 42.6%. Ottawa exposed this weakness to the Habs on Saturday Night. Phillip Danault leads the team in that category at a mere 45.4%. This is starting to show why the Habs need to find a true number one center especially now since Tomas Plekanec will miss weeks with his back injury.
Goalie Match-up: Calgary comes into tonight’s game with a hot goalie in David Rittich. Rittich is 2-0-0 with a 1.30 SV% in 2 starts this season. Carey Price will get the start tonight for Montreal. In five starts this season Price is 2-1-2 with a 2.57 GAA.
Players to watch
Max Domi is carrying a three game point streak into tonight’s game (2 goals,1 assist) and Jonny Gaudreau is caring a four game point streak in which he has put up five points (four goals and one assist). He is currently tied for goals and points on the Flames this season. David Rittch who was mentioned earlier should be a guy to watch tonight as he is the Flames goalie who is getting his second straight start as Calgary will go with the Hot hand. Mike Smith who was the Flames starter coming into the year is 3-3-0 with a 3.38 GAA.
You can watch TXHT Live tomorrow at 8p EST on both Twitch and Facebook Live.
Leave a Reply