#MTLHockey Preview
Match Up
The Canadiens (6-1-0) play host to the Rangers (4-3-0) Saturday night at the Bell Centre in an Eastern Conference Final rematch. The game starts at 7:00 with a special ceremony in honor of Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent that will be shown on CBC, Sportsnet ONE, City, and TVA Sports, as well as the NHL Network for U.S viewers.This is the first of three meetings between the Habs and Blueshirts, and the only one in Montreal. Last year the teams met three times in the regular season with each game ending as a shutout. Cam Talbot, Carey Price and Peter Budaj all posted shutout wins during the series, while Henrik Lundqvist was the only goalie to give up more than a single goal in one of these games, allowing a pair in a 2-0 loss.
These teams me again in the Eastern Conference Final with the Rangers eliminating the Habs in 6 games. Carey Price was forced out of the series after just two periods when Chris Kreider collided with the Habs netminder.
What to Watch
While slow starts continue to be an issue plaguing the Canadiens, the questions about Carey Price's slow start have subsided. Price has 3 straight wins since being pulled in Tampa, and has made 59 saves on 62 shots in his last two starts. Don't look now but Alexei Emelin has quietly put up five assists in five games this season. Emelin logged a season high 24:58 Tuesday night against the Wings.19-year-old Montreal native Anthony Duclair will be dressed for Saturday's game, the rookie has three assists in five games and is still looking for his first NHL goal. The Habs will need to keep a close watch on Rick Nash whenever he's on the ice, Nash has eight goals in seven games this year.
What's at Stake
The Habs have already faced the two teams they eliminated in last year's playoffs, now they get to try for a bit of revenge of their own. With a win on Saturday, the team will match a franchise record for most wins in their first eight games, although the 1961-62 Canadiens earned 15 of their first 16 points. A win would also help the Habs keep pace with the league leading Anaheim Ducks who sit two points ahead of Montreal after their win on Friday.Who's Out
Nathan Beaulieu has been sent back down to Hamilton along with Michael Bournival to get at least some game action and both are expecting to be called back up after the weekend. Other than that the Habs are healthy as they look to close out their first home-stand of the season.The Rangers are missing two big pieces in Dan Boyle (hand) and Derek Stepan (leg). Since joining the Rangers in the off-season, Boyle has played in just one regular season game seeing 14 minutes of action before breaking his hand while blocking a shot.
What Else
The Canadiens, Maple Leafs and Senators will hold a special, coordinated tribute in their home buildings for slain Canadian soldiers Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent. The event is being described as a show of solidarity and a way to show appreciation for the men and women whose selfless actions stopped the attackers and aided the victims. Senators owner, Eugene Melnyk, had this to say on the event in his statement posted on the Ottawa Senators' Website:As we continue to reflect on the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of two our country’s soldiers on Canadian soil, we do so with heavy hearts. But what doesn’t break us, makes us stronger. Today our country stands more united than ever and so does the entire NHL family. We are very pleased to join forces with the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs in coordinating a unique and special tribute prior our game on Saturday in honour and recognition of these two brave soldiers, their families and all members of our Canadian military.
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