Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Game 32: Canadiens vs Hurricanes

#MTLHockey Preview

Habs Vs Canes

Match Up

The Canadiens (19-10-2) are home to host the Hurricanes (8-18-3) Tuesday night at the Bell Centre, for the third match in their five-game homestand. The game is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and Sportsnet East.

This is the first of three meetings between the Habs and Canes, and the first of two in Montreal. Last season, the Habs went 2-0-1 against the Hurricanes. The team lost 5-4 in overtime after blowing a 3-0 third period lead. Jeff Skinner had two goals and an assist to spark the Canes' comeback.

What to Watch

Jiri Sekac scored a pair of goals in Montreal's 6-2 win over the Kings, giving him four points in the last three games and his first multi-goal game in the NHL. PK Subban scored a goal and added a pair of assists Friday as well, bringing him up to 22 on the season. Sven Andrighetto still has a point in every NHL game he's played after scoring his second career goal and third point.

The Hurricanes have lost five in a row, sending the team crashing to the bottom of the league standings tied with the Edmonton Oilers. The Hurricanes don't have a single player with a positive plus/minus rating who's played over 15 games this season. Justin Faulk the team's leading scorer with 17 points is also a team worst -15.

What's at Stake

Depending on how their division rivals do on Tuesday, the Canadiens have a chance to end up anywhere from first in the division, if they earn a win and Detroit and Tampa don't, to fourth, if the Leafs win their game and the Habs lose to the Canes.

Who's Out

Lars Eller (upper body) is nearing a return but won't be back in time for Tuesday. Mike Weaver (concussion) is also working toward a return, as is Bryan Allen (flu).

The Hurricanes are missing Jordan Staal (leg), Andrej Nestrasil (upper body) and Alexander Semin (lower body). Jiri Tlusty (undisclosed) missed Saturday's game against the Flyers but could be ready to return on Tuesday.

What Else

Montreal's new look line-up is expected to stay intact for at least one more game, giving Alex Galchenyuk another opportunity to show what he can do at center on the team's top line. Despite not picking up a point in the two games he's played in the role so far, Galchenyuk has not looked out of place in the role. David Desharnais meanwhile, looked pretty good between new linemates P.A. Parenteau and Michael Bournival, picking up a goal against the Kings.

The Question Mark

What for you has been the Habs highlight of the season so far and which player are you most excited to watch each game?

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 6:30 to preview the Canadiens and Hurricanes.

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