Game 11 - Canadiens at Canucks

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Match Up

The Canadiens (8-2-0) wrap up their road trip Thursday night with a visit to Vancouver to face the Canucks (6-3-0). The puck drops at 10:00 and the game airs on RDS and SN360.

This is the first of two meetings between the Habs and Canucks this season, they'll meet again at the Bell Centre in early December to close out the series. Last year, the Canadiens dominated their two games against Vancouver, scoring 4-1 and 5-2 victories. Max Pacioretty had four goals against the Canucks last season, including a hat trick in the 5-2 home win.

What to Watch

Tom Gilbert picked up his first goal as a Canadien Tuesday night in Calgary, helping the team draw even against the Flames. If Pacioretty was looking for an opportunity to step up his game, there's no time like the present. The Canadiens' leading goal scorer last season has lit the lamp just three times in the first ten games, leaving him on a pace well shy of the 39 goals he had last year.

The Sedin twins are back in fine form to start this season, Daniel and Henrik each have 11 points the nine games to start the year. Ryan Miller is off to a strong start as well with a 6-1-0 record through is first seven games as a Canuck. The only goalie with more wins than Miller will be occupying the crease 180 feet away. Carey Price leads the league with seven wins.

What's at Stake

The season keeps moving along and the Habs keep distancing themselves from their competition. Montreal has a three point lead over Tampa and a six point cushion on the Bruins; Long Island, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Ottawa are all four points back or more with varying games on hand. While there is plenty of hockey left to play, the Canadiens have and early edge in the East and can build on their advantage with every point.

Who's Out

The question of who's out keeps popping up keeps popping up for the Habs, but it has nothing to do with injuries. Jiri Sekac has been a healthy scratch for the past four games, Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu have split duties occupying the final defensive spot, while Michael Bournival has yet to see action this season, despite suiting up for 60 games last year.

The Canucks have been without defenseman Ryan Stanton (lower body) for much of the season. He is expected to return to action soon, but will likely miss Thursday's game.

What Else

The Canadiens have scored just one goal over the two games they've played in Alberta already this week. They still have yet to score a power play marker on the road, and they've scored just six goals in their last five road games. Three of their four road wins have come by way of shoot out. All that to say, the Habs has had trouble scoring on the road and they'll need to find a way to correct that as a team if they hope to have continued success.

The Question Mark

The Habs have picked up 16 out of a possible 20 points to start the season, but how many points have they deserved?

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 9:00 on Thursday to preview the Canadiens and the Canucks.

Posted in: carey price,daniel sedin,henrik sedin,jarred tinordi,Jiri Sekac,max pacioretty,Michaël Bournival,nathan beaulieu,ryan miller,Tom Gilbert