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 14:(Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 14:(Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Notes and Stats

  • The Montreal Canadiens have won 14 of the last 15 games against the Leafs. It took overtime or the shootout to decide six of them, and 10 were one-goal hockey games. These teams play tight hockey when facing each other, and you can bet that happens again tonight.
  • Staying out of the penalty box is going to be key. Montreal has allowed three power-play goals in their last three games including the two given up against the Coyotes. They can’t take as many penalties as they did then. Toronto hasn’t scored on the man-advantage recently, but it’s still ranked top 10 in the league at 22.73%
  • Montreal, on the other hand, have only one goal in their last 11 power-play opportunities
  • Paul Byron has scored goals in back-to-back games. He and his linemates have generated a lot of chances specifically from the result of some Drouin backchecks, and Galchenyuk passes.
  • 20 goals into his rookie season and Victor Mete is still looking for his first career goal. The 19-year-old is taking on his hometown team, so maybe the puck finds a way to the back of the net for him tonight.
  • Tomas Plekanec, as well as Byron and Gallagher, is the only forward on the team who is a plus (+4). Pacioretty is a team worse -6.

Next: Changing the Power-Play

What are your predictions for the game? Can the Montreal Canadiens end this slump on Hockey Night in Canada? Let us know in the comments.

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