A Winning Habit
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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, QC – OCTOBER 29:  (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 29:  (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Who to Look Out For

Max Pacioretty

The 28-year-old has had a lot of success when playing the Maple Leafs. He has more goals against them at 19 than any other team. Pacioretty’s last goal was the overtime winner in the Buffalo Sabres game, so he’s well due for another one. He’ll be looked to by his teammates to set the tempo, I mean, that’s what captains do.

More from Habs News

Charlie Lindgren

If the offence isn’t there or the defensive errors pile up, we’ll have to rely on the Wall of Lindgren. Thursday’s game was probably the first time we saw Charlie Lindgren falter a little bit on the first goal against, but the score would’ve been a lot worse if he didn’t play as well as he did. The 23-year-old may get a confidence boost in taking on Frederik Andersen who has been solid for the Leafs lately. You can argue that it will be a bit of a goaltending match, but Lindgren has proven in this NHL stint that he can handle it.

Auston Matthews

From the looks of things, the 2016 1st overall pick will be returning to the lineup tonight. Auston Matthews has missed the past four games with an upper-body injury, and you’d think the Leafs would struggle without him, but they’ve done alright. Shutting him down, if he plays, will have to be a top priority. Julien had the Drouin line play against him the last time the two teams met. If that happens again, Drouin will have to be a lot better in the faceoff circle as he was at an 18% by the final buzzer.

Matthews also scored two goals including the overtime winner, so expect Weber and Benn to be attached to the 20-year-old all night.

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