Game 29 - Canadiens at Stars

#MTLHockey Preview

Match Up

The Canadiens (17-9-2) wrap up their road trip Saturday night when they play the Stars (9-12-5) in Dallas. The game starts at 7:00 and can be seen on TVA and City.

This is the first of two games between the Habs and Stars this season. The Canadiens will play host to Dallas at the end of January. Last year the Habs took both their games versus the Stars including a 6-4 victory in Dallas. Max Pacioretty and PK Subban each tallied four points in the victory.

What to Watch

Sergei Gonchar scored his first goal in a Canadiens uniform on Friday, becoming the oldest player in franchise history to score for the team. Gonchar played 79 games over two seasons with the Stars before being traded to the Canadiens picking up two goals and 23 points with the team, just a fraction of the 801 career points he's earned the the NHL.

The Canadiens will have their hands full Saturday night as they'll try to neutralize the league's top goal scorer, Tyler Seguin. Seguin has 19 goals on the season and 32 points on the year. New addition, Jason Spezza, is also off to a fine start in Dallas with five goals and 21 points in 26 games.

What's at Stake

The Canadiens are mired in a mini-slump that's cost them points and place in the standings. The Habs have slipped into a tie for third place in the Eastern conference with a Penguins team that holds three games in hand. The Stars are at the other end of the spectrum, but have a high-powered offense that could cause trouble for Montreal.

Who's Out

Lars Eller (upper body) left Friday's game with an apparent left shoulder injury; he's not expected to play on Saturday. Sven Andrighetto has been called up for from the Bulldogs and could dress Saturday night.

Rich Peverley (chest) has not played since collapsing on the bench in March last season. Peverley had surgery the next week to correct an irregular heartbeat but has been limited to off-ice workouts since. Patrick Eaves (ankle) and Valeri Nichushkin (hip) are also both out for Dallas.

What Else

The Canadiens went one-for-three on the power against the Hawks on Friday, improving them to 11-for-74, or a 14.9% efficiency. In 12 games with Gonchar in the lineup the Habs have gone 8-for-32, an even 25% conversion rate and a world of improvement on their 3-for-42 effectiveness before he arrived.

The Question Mark

What is the biggest problem the team needs to address in order to find success again this year?

Tonight's Show

Join myself Rob Elbaz along with Steve Farnham and Jesse Dorais for the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show as we go live at 6:00 on Saturday to preview the Habs and Stars.

Posted in: Jason Spezza,max pacioretty,p.k subban,Sergei Gonchar,tyler seguin