Montreal Canadiens Lineup & Preview Vs Colorado Avalanche
The Montreal Canadiens are set to hit the ice tonight for their second of eight preseason games. The Habs will host the Colorado Avalanche at the Bell Centre tonight, after coming back from a 2-0 deficit and defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Tuesday.
The Canadiens iced a fairly young team, even by preseason standards against the Bruins, and won the game on goals by Jiri Sekac, Christian Thomas and Drayson Bowman. Dustin Tokarski started the game in goal and gave way to veteran Joey MacDonald halfway through.
Tonight however, the Habs will ice an impressive lineup that may have 15 players who will play on opening night of the regular season. Tonight’s lines will look like this:
Max Pacioretty – David Desharnais – P.A. Parenteau
Nikita Scherbak – Alex Galchenyuk – Brendan Gallagher
Brandon Prust – Manny Malhotra – Dale Weise
Travis Moen – Charles Hudon – Michael Bournival
May 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) handles the puck during the second period against the New York Rangers in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
The Canadiens appear to be trying out newcomer Parenteau on the top line with Pacioretty and Desharnais, on what could be an extremely effective scoring line. Parenteau is a great passer who has looked great with Pacioretty in camp so far, but gets more of a test in something closer to game action tonight.
Nikita Scherbak, the Habs first round pick last June has shown some flash and dash thus far in camp, and will get a chance to display that tonight on perhaps the Canadiens most entertaining line. Galchenyuk has a chance to show the Habs are best suited to keep him at center, and with Gallagher and Scherbak as his wingers, they could be electrifying tonight.
Sep 23, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski (35) and Montreal Canadiens left wing Charles Hudon (75) congratulate each other after their win against Boston Bruins at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
The Habs third line tonight appears to be what the fourth line will be when the regular season begins. It is no shock that Malhotra was signed to be the fourth line center of this team, and Weise and Prust proved last year to be valuable role players on this team. This trio has been together since day 1 of camp, and I would be surprised if that ever changes.
The Canadiens fourth line tonight is a trio of players who are currently on the outside looking in. Both Moen and Bournival played in a significant number of games last season, but neither has a roster spot locked up at this point. Bournival’s youth and speed likely makes him a candidate to steal a spot from a veteran, and if his preseason is anything close to what it was a year ago, Bournival will find himself a spot in the lineup when the regular season starts.
Hudon looked good in the Habs first preseason game, and earned himself a closer look tonight with a pair of NHL veterans. He and Scherbak are the only two forwards who played in the preseason opener, so it appears the Habs want a close look at the pair of youngsters.
On defence, the Habs are sticking with the pairing of Emelin and Subban that has been together since day 1 of camp. I assumed the top pairing left defender would be Andrei Markov, but if Emelin shows he is fully healed from his knee surgery, he could start the season as Subban’s partner.
Feb 2, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Winnipeg Jets right wing Chris Thorburn (22) and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (40) battle for the puck during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Nathan Beaulieu looks to have the inside track on the Habs sixth defenceman role, and will play alongside Weaver tonight. Weaver will surely start the season on the Habs third pairing, so being partnered with him shows the Canadiens expect Beaulieu to begin the year in the top six.
Drewiske is a depth veteran defender who will find himself playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs again this season. Pateryn had the number seven role on the Habs locked up coming into camp in my opinion, but played very poorly in the exhibition opener against the Bruins. The 24 year old will have to settle down and show he can be a lot better if he wants to stay with the big club in October.
Carey Price gets the start in goal, and Peter Budaj will relieve him halfway through tonight’s contest.
The puck drops at 7:30 PM Eastern at the Bell Centre, and can be caught on RDS.