The Montreal Canadiens will have some time off with the All-Star Break coming up, but they’ll have to get through the Carolina Hurricanes first.
After coming off a game where the Montreal Canadiens ended the streak for the Colorado Avalanche, you have to think they’re walking into tonight with a chip on their shoulders. It was one of the Habs’ most complete performances of the season, and Jonathan Drouin was a force to be reckoned with. Similar to that game, the Carolina Hurricanes are a team on a mission as they’re trying to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The last time the two teams faced each other was a textbook example of the Habs’ weaknesses. An inability to capitalize on scoring chances and poor defensive play turned a 1-1 tie game into an eventual 3-1 loss.
Montreal will be looking to the Drouin line to have the same level intensity as they did on Tuesday. Additionally, Max Pacioretty made his presence known on the ice despite not scoring. Habs fans cocked an eyebrow when Claude Julien decided to move Paul Byron to centre, but that line has been another positive for the team in this latest stretch.
The Hurricanes are looking to avoid turning their pair of losses into a streak. They’ve only managed to score one goal in both games against the Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins and have struggled to keep the puck out of their net as well.
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You can attribute it to reckless play, but the bottom line is that Carolina isn’t getting enough out of Scott Darling and Cam Ward. Making routine stops is one thing, but both have struggled to make the game-saving saves.
Both teams have had lack-lustre special teams this season as well seeing as their success rates fall in the bottom half of the league. Alex Galchenyuk has been finding fire of his own on the power play and could be a difference maker out there.
Considering where the Habs find themselves in the standings, the Hurricanes could have the game already won in their minds. Spoiling Colorado’s win streak was fun, let’s see if they can put a wrench in the Hurricanes’ plans as well.