#MTLHockey Preview
Match Up
The Canadiens (12-4-1) wrap up their homestand Saturday night when they play host to the Flyers (7-6-2). The game is set to start at 7:00 and airs on TVA Sports and Sportsnet.This is the second of three meetings between the Habs and Flyers, the final game takes place at the Bell Centre in February. The Canadiens took the first meeting of the season in a shootout after scoring three third period goals to draw them even. Andrei Markov started the scoring for Montreal and then added a pair of assists, while P.A. Parenteau scored the only shootout goal for either team to secure the 4-3 victory.
What to Watch
Max Pacioretty picked up a pair of goals Thursday against the Bruins, his first multi-goal and third multi-point game of the season. But even Pacioretty's strong performance didn't compare to Dale Weise's night.Weise collected a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, starting with a fight against Gregory Campbell, followed up with a penalty shot goal to put the Canadiens on the board, and later adding an assist on Pacioretty's first goal of the night.
It might be hard to miss Jakub Voracek Saturday night if he stays true to form, the 25 year old has 24 points in just 15 games so far this year, just one point back of Sidney Crosby for the league lead. Voracek has points in his last nine games, and has only been held pointless once all season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Flyers were shutout that game, 4-0 by the Blackhawks.
What's at Stake
The Canadiens are once again at the top of the NHL standings, tied with the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the league. The Habs will also try to extend their four-game win streak on Saturday and keep pace with the league's hottest team, the New York Islanders, who have won five straight.Who's Out
The Canadiens are missing Michael Bournival (shoulder). With the arrival of Sergei Gonchar, Michel Therrien opted to dress seven defensemen of Thursday, making Drayson Bowman a healthy scratch.The Flyers defense has taken a beating this season, Luke Schenn (upper body), Andrew MacDonald (lower body), Kimmo Timonen (blood clots), and even reinforcement Shayne Gostisbehere (knee) are all sidelined. Forwards Michael Raffl (lower body) and Ryan White (chest) are also out.
What Else
The Canadiens finally managed to score a power play goal Thursday night against the Bruins, just their fourth on the season. Jiri Sekac found the back of the net with the man advantage, the first Canadiens to do so since October 18 against the Avalanche, 10 games earlier.Sekac is 15th on the Habs with just 2:35 of power play time. Lars Eller, who picked up an assist on the goal, is faring only slightly better with 3:16 of power play ice time. At the other end of the spectrum, PK Subban and Andrei Markov have both earned over an hour of power play time with the Habs already this year. Max Pacioretty leads all forwards with 43:29 this season.
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