#MTLHockey Preview
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.
0 comments:
Post a Comment