Montreal Canadiens Game Preview: It’s A “Must” Win
By Omar L
It’s Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night as the Montreal Canadiens take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre.
This may be really early to say, but Saturday’s game is huge. I know what you’re thinking, “Dude it’s the fifth game of the season”, and ya you would be right to say so. The Montreal Canadiens absolutely need this win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Habs haven’t played since Wednesday when they lost 3-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks. It was an overall better effort, but key mistakes cost the game. They’ve had three days to rest up and get ready for this one.
There may be more changes to the line-up, and not by Claude Julien‘s choice. Alex Galchenyuk missed Friday’s practice with flu-like symptoms and it was the same for Tomas Plekanec at the Saturday morning skate. Galchenyuk was back on the ice, but both will be game time decisions. In place of Plekanec, Jacob de La Rose was in between Paul Byron and Brendan Gallagher.
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Additionally there may have been a chance that David Schlemko could’ve seen some action. He played in Laval’s 8-7 overtime win Friday night and gave Daniel Carr the stretch pass for the winner. The 30-year-old was recalled this morning by the Montreal Canadiens, but Julien said he wasn’t 100% yet.
Montreal has won the last 14 games against the Leafs. Based on the team’s early struggles, a lot of fans are doubtful that it can continue after this one. However the Habs can come out on top of this one. The Leafs are one of the most skilled teams in the league at the moment, but they’ve proven that they can make key defensive errors. If Montreal capitalizes on them, the game will be theirs.
At the same time they can’t make mistakes of their own. Carey Price usually stands on his head for games like these, but it would be in the team’s best interest to limit those dangerous scoring chances.
It’s one of the oldest rivalries in the NHL, if you can’t get up for this one, then you don’t deserve to be here.
How do you think the game will go? Will the streak continue? Let us know your thoughts down below.