A Winning Habit
Fansided

Montreal Canadiens: Making a statement against the Leafs

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 29: = multiple players looking at the puck away from them, Toronto Maple Leafs Right Wing Connor Brown (12), Toronto Maple Leafs Left Wing Leo Komarov (47), Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Jeff Petry (26) and Montreal Canadiens Center Torrey Mitchell (17) all in the frame during the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 29, 2016 at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 29: = multiple players looking at the puck away from them, Toronto Maple Leafs Right Wing Connor Brown (12), Toronto Maple Leafs Left Wing Leo Komarov (47), Montreal Canadiens Defenceman Jeff Petry (26) and Montreal Canadiens Center Torrey Mitchell (17) all in the frame during the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 29, 2016 at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 29: (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Goals or No Goals

Montreal, in many ways, is facing their offensive opposite. Despite the loss, that was the most amount of goals the team scored since their 5-4 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets. Their numbers overall aren’t too good.

The Habs are 24th in the league in goals for with 51. The Leafs, on the other hand, are second with 73. You can expect that with the number of threats they have in their forward group. Another stat which this time could work in Montreal’s favour is that the Leafs are eight in goals allowed (63).

Defence isn’t something that the Leafs dabble in as much, and the Habs may be able to take advantage of that. Frederik Andersen is going to be the difference maker for them as he’s faced north of 30 shots in his last three starts and has stopped enough for the team to win.

That’s another reason why having Drouin and Pacioretty in the lineup will be so important. Montreal’s top line has generated a handful of scoring chances as of late, and for the team to have success, they need to be on their game.

Pride

Julien told media Friday after practice that he will be expecting the team to have some pride in themselves and have a better product on the ice. Tonight is more than just a game. The way the Montreal Canadiens play will be something to focus on to see if they have the confidence to respond to all this negativity.

If Montreal has another slow start, or worse, gets the lead and squanders it like against the Coyotes, it will say a lot to what’s going on throughout the organization. However, if they come out and play like their lives depended on it and follow whatever gameplan Julien has for them, they will have success.

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