Montreal Canadiens: Antti Niemi set to start in the final game on the West Coast
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens have one last game on the west coast before the Christmas break, and it looks like Antti Niemi will be getting the start.
A sweep is possible for the Montreal Canadiens tonight as they’ll be taking on the Edmonton Oilers tonight. Tuesday’s game didn’t have any structure to it, but the team managed to get a lot of goals to get through it. Yesterday’s win was one of the Habs’ best road wins of the season save for the pressure Calgary put on them in the second half of the third period.
The Oilers have had a day to rest, so the Habs may be at a disadvantage. However, after this game, Montreal will have three days off to celebrate the holidays, and perhaps they can use that as an incentive. If the idea of having time off doesn’t do the trick, there’s also the fact that Boston and Detroit are playing each other which isn’t ideal in any outcome (more so if the Bruins win).
There hasn’t been a formal announcement from Claude Julien, but Antti Niemi will most likely be given the net for this one. If so, it would be his first start since November 22nd. Joe Morrow had the huge goal late in the third period to tie the game, but the Habs eventually lost to Nashville in overtime. Niemi made a lot of key saves that night as well.
Hopefully, the team can play a solid 60 minutes in front of him tonight. There’s also the chance that Julien could make some roster changes, but they may be slim as there’s usually a reluctance to mess with a winning lineup.
For now, it’s another rendition of the waiting game.
Morning Links
RECAP | Amerks – Rocket: Late Rochester Comeback Dooms Laval in Overtime
After snapping their four-game losing streak against Syracuse on Wednesday, the Laval Rocket couldn’t hold the 2-1 lead they had on the Rochester Americans losing in overtime.
Should the Montreal Canadiens Trade Max Pacioretty?
The team captain’s name has been thrown around lately, but should the Montreal Canadiens even make the move? A lot of factors would have to come into play, but it’s something to think about.
The First Lady of the Canadiens Sits Behind the Montreal Bench
An incredible piece on Élise Béliveau who is the widow of Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau and still a regular seatholder at the Bell Center.
A Study of the Consecutive Goal Conundrum
The number of quick goals against has to be one of the most frustrating things about this season so far.
Three Canadiennes named to Canada’s Olympic roster
Canada’s women’s hockey team is set for the Winter Olympics in February, and three players from Les Canadiennes will be joining to compete for the gold medal.