Game 37: Canadiens at Panthers

#MTLHockey Preview

 

Match Up

The Canadiens (23-11-2) are in Sunrise, Florida Tuesday night to face the Panthers (16-9-8). The puck drops at 7:30 and can be seen on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the first of five meetings between the Habs and Panthers this season, the teams will play twice more in Florida and twice in Montreal. The Habs and Cats split their four game series last season with each team picking up a 2-1 win in Montreal and a 4-1 win in Florida.

What to Watch

Carey Price continues to make his case as team MVP posting win number 20 on the season Monday in Carolina, but his 28-save performance the night before likely means it will be Dustin Tokarski between the pipes on Tuesday. Lars Eller and Jiri Sekac looked good on a line together in Carolina, they each scored for the Habs on Monday and finished the night plus-3 and plus-2 respectively.

Last year's top draft pick, Aaron Ekblad, is making a strong case for rookie-of-the-year considerations. He's third in rookie scoring with 19 points on the season and logs an average of 22 minutes per game. Only Nick Bjugstad has more points for the Panthers this year, with 20.

What's at Stake

The Panthers aren't nipping at the Habs' heels just yet, but they are making a strong push to reach the playoffs for just the second time since 2000. The Canadiens have eight more points than the Panthers, but the Cats have three games in hand on Montreal so a loss on Tuesday would mean that suddenly Florida is within striking distance of the Habs.

Former Habs assistant coach, Gerard Gallant, has impressed in his second stint as an NHL head coach, this is his first chance to face his former team this season.

Who's Out

The Canadiens go into their final game of 2014 with a healthy roster.
For the Panthers, off-season addition Shawn Thornton (groin) is the only player missing heading into Tuesday's game.

What Else

Despite a rough stretch at the end of November and carrying into the start of December where the team went 1-5-1, the Canadiens have quickly turned things around winning six of their last seven. The Habs look to end 2014 on a high note with another win and the chance to reclaim top spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Question Mark

What are your New Year's Resolutions for the Habs?

Tonight's Show

Join host Steven Hindle along with Kosta Papoulias and Rob Elbaz for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:30 to preview the Canadiens and the Panthers.

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Pregame Preview: Canadiens at Panthers (Game #76)

 
Match Up:

The Canadiens (42-16-7) take their 4-game winning streak into Florida where they'll do battle against the Panthers (27-39-8) Saturday night. The game is set to start at 7:00 and airs on RDS and CBC.

This is the fourth an final game between these clubs, so far, Florida has managed to get the better of the Canadiens on 2 out of 3 tries. The Cats won a pair of games in December against the Habs, but Montreal managed a 2-1 victory the last time these teams met with the help of goals by David Desharnais and Brian Gionta.

What to Watch:

The line of Desharnais, Max Pacioretty and Thomas Vanek combined for 3 goals and 3 assists in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Red Wings. Vanek led the way with three points, bringing him up to 9 points in 11 games since joining the Habs. PK Subban had a pair of assists on Thursday but was also on the ice for all 4 goals against. Through 75 games this year, PK has an even rating.

The Panthers have won just one of their last five games and were shut out twice during that span. With 35 points on the year, Scottie Upshall leads the Cats in scoring, he's 165th in the league in points. Rookie Nick Bjugstad has 14 goals and 33 points on the year. Roberto Luongo had been fairly solid in nets for the Panthers since joining the team at the trade deadline, but he was knocked out of action in Thursday's game and isn't expected to play on Saturday.

What's at Stake:

Even with the strength of 7 wins in the last 8 games the Canadiens haven't been able to get much separation over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Habs do hold a two-point lead over the Bolts, but Tampa has a pair of games in hand. The good news for the Habs is that they hold an 11-point lead over the 4 teams fighting for a Wild Card spot, which means with time running out on the season a first round match between the Canadiens and Lightning is all but set.

Who's Out:

Tomas Plekanec returned to Montreal after Thursday's game against the Wings for personal reasons and won't play on Saturday. The fourth line of Dale Weise (wrist), Travis Moen (head) and Brandon Prust (upper body) are all out, as is Josh Gorges (hand).

Florida is without Luongo (upper body), rookie Aleksander Barkov (knee) and Tomas Kopecky (concussion). St. Jerome native, Jonathan Huberdeau (lower body), is questionable for Saturday's game.

What Else:

The Habs will play game 2of their important 4-game road trip Saturday, then they return home to play 3 of their last 4 games in the Bell Centre. After facing the Panthers they'll visit Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning on Tuesday in what could be their most important match at this point in the season. The Lightning have 9 games remaining to Montreal's 7, and they play 6 in a row at home before ending their regular season with a trip to Washington to face the Capitals.

The Question Mark:

With Plekanec absent on Saturday, Lars Eller will likely be reunited with former linemates Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. If that trio has a strong night should they be kept together after Plekanec returns?

Let us know what you think, leave us a comment or send us a tweet with the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter.

Be sure to tune into the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show an hour before the puck drop and the Post Game Show 5 minutes after the final siren. Join the live conversation by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter.

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Pregame Preview: Canadiens at Panthers (Game #40)

 

Match Up:

The Canadiens (23-13-3) will finish their stay in sunny Florida with a Sunday evening meeting against the Panthers (14-20-5). The early bird special starts at 5:00 and airs on RDS and TSN.

It's the second of four meetings between the Habs and Panthers. Florida pulled off an improbable 2-1 win against the Canadiens two weeks ago on Bell Centre ice, holding the Habs to 18 shots over 3 periods.

What to Watch:

Tomas Plekanec has goals in consecutive games and is up to 13 on the season. Brian Gionta has 4 assists in his last 5 games, bringing him up to 20 points on the year.

The Panthers have a pair of rookie sensations helping to lead the way. Nick Bjugstad scored the winner in Montreal when these teams last met, he has 8 goals and 15 points on the season. Last draft's second overall pick, Aleksander Barkov has been on a tear recently with a goal and 4 assists in his last 5 games, he's up to 17 points on the season.

What's at Stake:

The Habs should feel the need to take some revenge on the lowly Panthers and earn what is on paper an easy two points. Montreal is just a point shy of the 50-point mark at just under the halfway point in the season.

Who's Out:

Peter Budaj is slated to get the start Sunday night, giving Carey Price a night off after his shootout win versus the Lightning. The Canadiens are missing George Parros (concussion) and Davis Drewiske (shoulder), but are healthy enough to force Michel Therrien to do some juggling. Michael Bournival was a healthy scratch against the Lightning, as was Douglas Murray.

The Panthers are dealing with a slew of injuries including Ed Jovanovski (hip_, Scottie Upshall (upper body), Jesse Winchester (hand) and Erik Gudbranson (orbital bone), however, Tim Thomas is expected to get the call in nets for Florida, his first start in 3 weeks.

What Else:

The Habs are on a 2-game win streak heading into Sunday's game, but they only have 1 regulation win in their last 8 games, a 3-1 victory against the Coyotes. The team has just 10 regulation goals in that span, including an empty-netter. Plekanec, Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, David Desharnais and PK Subban are the only Canadiens to find the back of the net since the 6-0 loss the LA Kings.

The Question Mark:

What's more exciting, watching the Habs travel through Florida, on watching the World Junior Hockey Championship?

Let us know what you think by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter or leave us a comment below.

Be sure to tune into the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show an hour before the puck drop and the Post Game Show 5 minutes after the final siren. Join the live conversation by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter.

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