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Monday, December 1, 2014

Game 26 - Canadiens at Avalanche

8:08 AM Unknown No comments

#MTLHockey Preview

habs canadiens match up avalanch colorado vs nhl

Match Up

The Canadiens (16-7-2) start their four game road trip in Colorado on Monday to face the Avalanche (9-10-5). The game starts at 9:00 Eastern time and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the second and final meeting between the Habs and Avs this season. The Canadiens won the first game 3-2 in Montreal on the strength of three second period goals. PK Subban scored twice in that match, including the game winner, and took first star honors.

What to Watch

Carey Price is 6-2-0 in his last 8 games, allowing just 12 goals in that span, and just 8 at even strength. Price has stopped 87 of the last 90 shots he's faced, good enough for a .967 save percentage in his last three games. Dale Weise picked up his sixth assist of the season in Montreal's 4-3 shootout loss to the Sabres on Saturday. With 10 points in 22 games this season, Weise is just six points away from matching his career high.

The Avalanche have won three of their last four coming into Monday's game, led by Gabriel Landeskog, who has two goals and six points in that span. Nathan MacKinnon has also been hot as of late, he has seven assists in his last five games.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens are one of six teams leading the NHL with 34 points on the season, although they've played more games than the other five. Colorado is at the bottom of their division and, like the Sabres, are allowing on average more than three goals a game. The Canadiens can use a solid victory against the Avs to rebound from a less than stellar pair of games against the Sabres Friday and Saturday.

Who's Out

Tom Gilbert was a healthy scratch in Montreal's last two games as Michel Therrien has had to juggle his defensive pairing to make room for new additions Sergei Gonchar and Bryan Allen. Michael Bournival (shoulder) is nearing a return to action, although there is still no word on when he is expected to dress next.

The Avalanche are without their starting goalie, Semyon Varlamov (groin). They're also missing center John Mitchell (leg), Mark-Andre Cliche (undisclosed), and Jamie McGinn (back). Veteran defensman Brad Stuart (hamstring) is day-to-day.

What Else

After a long break last week, the Habs go right back to the grind with four road games in six nights. They'll travel over 2100 miles during the trip, from Denver to Minneapolis to Chicago and then Dallas, before returning home to the Bell Centre for a five game homestand.

The Question Mark

Who was your Habs top performer of the month for November?

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 8:00 to preview the Canadiens and the Avalanche.

Game 6 - Canadiens vs Avalanche

11:42 AM Unknown No comments

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (4-1-0) welcome Patrick Roy and the Avalanche (1-3-1) to town Saturday night. The second home game of the season is set to start at 7:00 and will be broadcast on TVA-Sports, City and Altitude TV.

This is the first of two games between the Habs and Avs this season. Last year each team won the match they hosted handily in the two-game season series. Thomas Vanek scored a hat trick in Montreal's 6-3 victory when the teams last met, and Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais each collected a pair of assists.

What to Watch

After four games without a power play goal, the Habs went 2-for-3 with the man advantage against the Bruins Thursday, although the second was scored into an empty net. Jiri Sekac lit the lamp in the home opener for his first career NHL goal. His parents and girlfriend were in the stands to cheer him on.

Jiri Sekac Sr. reacts to his sons first NHL goal

The Avalanche come to town with Daniel Briere, Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Jarome Iginla, Ryan O'Reilly, Matt Duchene, and one of the coldest offenses in the league. Colorado has only managed to put up seven goals in five games and have already given up 17 goals against.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens are off to a hot start and their 4-1-0 record has them on top of their division and in a tie with the New York ...wait for it... Islanders for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Avalanche come to town light on goaltending and the Habs will want to take advantage of that.

Who's Out

Alexei Emelin returned to the line-up Thursday from the upper body injury that forced him to miss two games. Nathan Beaulieu and Dale Weise were the healthy scratches when the Habs played their home opener, it will be interesting to see whether they draw back in for Saturday's game.

Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (groin) is already on injured reserve and now back-up Reto Berra (neck) is questionable for Saturday's game after leaving early in Colorado's 5-3 to the Senators on Thursday. This means that Calvin Pickard could get his first NHL start Saturday night. Jesse Winchester (concussion) is also missing for the Avs.

What Else

The first period continues to hurt the Canadiens, the team has been out-shot in the first period of each of their first five games. Thursday's home opener was the first game this season the Habs didn't head to the locker room trailing after 20 minutes.

The Question Mark

He's got a year of NHL coaching experience under his belt and a Jack Adams Award to show for it, but would you want Patrick Roy to coach the Canadiens?

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 6:00 Saturday night to preview the Canadiens and Avalanche.

Pregame Preview: Canadiens vs Avalanche (Game #70)

8:07 AM Unknown No comments

Match Up:

The Canadiens (37-25-7) welcome Patrick Roy to the Bell Centre for the first time as coach of the Avalanche (44-19-5) Tuesday night. The game is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and TSN-Habs.

This is the last of two meetings between the Habs and Avs this season, and the only one in Montreal. Colorado won the first game 4-1 on the strength of three unanswered third period goals, including PA Parenteau's empty netter. Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog each scored for the Avalanche, while Habs youngsters Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk and PK Subban combined for Montreal's lone goal.

What to Watch:

Michel Therrien changed around his lineup again for Sunday's game again the Sabres, putting Brian Gionta alongside Lars Eller and Alex Galchenyuk while Daniel Briere and Brendan Gallagher played on a line with Tomas Plekanec. Thomas Vanek had 6 shots against his former club on Sunday but is still looking for his first goal as a Hab.

While Matt Duchene leads the Avalanche with 64 points in 65 games, even more impressive may be the fact the the offensive duo of Landeskog and 18-year old MacKinnon are each a plus 19 this season, sharing the team lead in that department. With 52 points, MacKinnon leads all rookies in scoring. The Avs already have 5 players to hit the 20 goal mark this season, Duchene, Landeskog, MacKinnon are all there along with Ryan O'Reilly and Paul Stastny.

What's at Stake:

The Canadiens and the Avalanche are both fighting for home playoff races but the return of Patrick Roy to Montreal as coach of the Avalanche will take center stage. Roy has his team just a point ahead of Chicago in the race for second place in the Central and home ice advantage in the playoffs. The Canadiens are in a three-way fight with the Leafs and the Bolts for second in their division and home ice in the first round.

Who's Out:

Michael Bournival has been cleared to play but will be doing so in Hamilton, he was sent to the Bulldogs on a conditioning stint following his concussion. Josh Gorges (hand) is still out until at least the start of April.
The Avs are without PA Parenteau (knee) and Alex Tanguay (hip) while Paul Stastny is day-to-day with an upper body injury.

What Else:

Patrick Roy returns to Montreal, bringing together the only two teams he ever played for, winning a combined 4 Stanley Cups, a pair with each of his teams and the last two in their history. As impressive as his on ice performances were, he's off to a strong start in his second NHL career. The Avs are already up to 93 points with over a dozen games left on the season, on pace for their best regular season record since the 2000-01, the year of their last Cup win.

The Question Mark:

Something a little special for the Question Mark today, send your answers to @MTLHockeytalk on Twitter with the hashtag #MTLHockey:

Draw the most unfair comparison you can of Carey Price to Patrick Roy.

Tune in to the Pregame Show at 6:30 on montrealhockeytalk.com where we'll get to your answers. And be sure to tune in after the game to the Montreal Hockey Talk Post Game Show.