Game 10 - Canadiens at Flames

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (7-2-0) are in Calgary Tuesday night to face the Flames (5-4-1) at the Saddledome. The game is set to start at 9:00 and can be seen on RDS2 and City-Montreal.

This is the first of two games between the Habs and Flames this season, they'll meet again this coming Sunday back at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Last season the teams split their two meetings, with Carey Price and the Canadiens earning a 2-0 win on home ice. The Habs got goals from Rene Bourque and David Desharnais to help power them to victory.

What to Watch

For the first time this season, the Habs were shut out Monday night against the Oilers, a 3-0 defeat, despite directing 29 shots at Ben Scrivens. Manny Malhotra had a rare off night at the faceoff dot, winning just 41.7% of his draws. It marked the first game this season that Malhotra ended the game under 50% on the draw.

24-year-old Calgary native Joe Colborne is of to the hottest start of his career with eight assists in ten games. Colbourne is playing on a line with Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan. Defenseman TJ Brodie, also got off to a strong start this season and parlayed that into a five-year, 4.65 million AAV contract extension.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens are still on top of the NHL, but things can change very quickly in this league. With division rivals like the Lightning and Bruins facing injury trouble early this season, the Habs should be looking to build up their cushion while they have a chance. The team will also want to bounce back after being held goalless the night before.

Who's Out

Czech rookie Jiri Sekac has been a healthy scratch for the past three games, but after the team's poor offensive showing on Monday he could finally draw back into the line-up. Jarred Tinordi was left in the press box on Monday as well in favor of Nathan Beaulieu.

The Flames were without winger David Jones (lower body) for most of this season, but he's expected to make his return on Tuesday. Mason Raymond is day-to-day with an upper body injury and is expected to miss the game against the Habs.

What Else

While the Canadiens had another strong night on the penalty kill Monday, they also continued to struggle on the power play, going 0-for-4. The Habs are now 23rd in the league with the man advantage, scoring just three times on 26 opportunities, including an empty net power play goal against the Bruins. The Canadiens have generated a mere 34 power play shots this season, adding three shots on four PP attempts on Monday.

The Question Mark

What do the Habs need to do to improve their power play?

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 on Tuesday to preview the Flames and Canadiens.

Posted in: carey price,david desharnais,Jiri Sekac,Joe Colborne,manny malhotra,rene bourque,Sean Monahan,TJ Brodie