Rechercher dans ce blog

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Canadiens vs. Kings: Five things you should know - Montreal Gazette

Kings at Canadiens, 7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690, 98.5 FM.

Article content

Five things you should know about the Canadiens-Kings game at the Bell Centre Tuesday (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690, 98.5 FM)

Advertisement

Article content

The rematch: This is the second of two games between the teams this season, and the Kings won the first game 5-2 at the Staples Centre on Oct. 30 . The Canadiens are coming off a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday . They outshot Vegas 20-1 in the first period to take a 2-0 lead, but the Golden Knights came back with three goals in the second period, including two on the power play. Montreal has a 3-10-0 record. After a slow start, the Kings took a four-game winning streak into Toronto Monday. They have improved to 5-5-1.

The goalies: In the absence of Carey Price, Jake Allen has shouldered most of the workload, but coach Dominique Ducharme refused to commit to Allen for this game. he said the choice between Allen and Samuel Montembeault would be made Tuesday. Allen has two shutouts but he has a 3-9-0 record with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. Montembeault is winless in two decisions with a 3.52 GAA. The Kings employ a two-goaltender system. Veteran Jonathan Quick was scheduled to play in Toronto and that means Cal Petersen is expected to start against the Canadiens. He has a 3-2-0 record with a 3.02 GAA and an .898 save percentage.

Advertisement

Article content

Danault deserves a cheer:  When former Canadiens return to the Bell Centre, the fans often greet them with jeers, but here’s hoping that there are a few cheers for Phil Danault when he faces his former teammates for the first time in Montreal. Danault gave everything he had during his stay in Montreal and his value to the club is reflected in the Canadiens’ performance since he departed for Los Angeles. The penalty-kill was one of the keys to the Canadiens’ success in the playoffs last season but it currently ranks 29th in the NHL with a success rate of 66 per cent. Danault left town for more money but only after general manager Marc Bergevin failed to show him the respect he deserved.

Power play better but… : Special teams have been a problem all season for the Canadiens, but coach Dominique Ducharme  noted Monday that there are signs of improvement. That is true of the power play. Mike Hoffman’s return to health has been a help and Chris Wideman understands the importance of moving the puck and moving bodies. It’s a small sample, but the Canadiens are 3-for-15 over the past five games and that’s a 20-per-cent success rate for a team that’s at 13.6 per cent for the season. But the PK continues to be a disaster and ranks 29th. There has been no improvement of late, with the Canadiens surrendering seven goals on the last 19 power plays they have faced.

Advertisement

Article content

Kopitar continues to roll:  Slovenia doesn’t produce many NHL players, but the country can take  pride in Anze Kopitar, who continue to polish his Hall of Fame credentials. Kopitar, who has played his entire NHL career with the Kings, has won two Selke Trophies as the NHL’s top defensive forward. But he also knows his way around the other end of the ice. He has 1,014 points in 1,140 games and has played a key role in two Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014. At 34, he shows no sign as of slowing down with seven goals and seven assists in his first 11 games, and a better than 60 per cent success rate in the faceoff circle.

  1. “There’s many steps to be taken but, yeah, he wants to play, he wants to be part of our group, he wants to help out,” Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme says about goalie Carey Price.

    Canadiens' Carey Price is back home and ready to rejoin teammates

  2. Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens players exchange blows during the first period at Bell Centre.

    Jack Todd: This Canadiens team is a lost cause. It's time to start over

  3. Canadiens' Artturi Lehkonen battles for the puck with Brayden McNabb (3) of the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period at the Bell Centre on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Montreal.

    In the Habs' Room: We are not a fragile team, Gallagher insists

phickey@postmedia.com

twitter.com/zababes1

    Advertisement

    Comments

    Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

    Adblock test (Why?)


    Canadiens vs. Kings: Five things you should know - Montreal Gazette
    Read More

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Take Five: The last surviving dove - Financial Post

    Breadcrumb Trail Links PMN Technology PMN Business Author of the article: Article content Of all the central banks which unt...