Kings at Canadiens, 7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690, 98.5 FM.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
Canadiens vs. Kings: Five things you should know - Montreal Gazette
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