The deadline is in the rearview mirror, and the next challenge for the Montreal Canadiens will be to respond with the New Jersey Devils as tonight’s opponent.
With the talk and speculation of trades behind us, the Montreal Canadiens can now focus on one thing and one thing only. That being winning hockey games. The team will be looking to bounce back from a frustrating performance in Toronto against the Leafs that saw them give up a 3-0 lead to lose 6-3 via two empty-net goals. Many of was due to well-timed bounces, but the Habs didn’t do themselves any favours on some of those plays.
With other teams ramping up for a late-season playoff push, wins are going to be more important than ever.
Andrew Shaw, Tomas Tatar, and Jeff Petry were the scorers of last game. Petry, in particular, looked really good offensively skating with the puck and creating high-danger scoring chances. That mindset, as well as strong goaltending, is going to give the Habs the edge.
It’ll also be important not to take the Devils lightly. New Jersey has beaten Montreal twice already, and their recent roster sell-off isn’t an excuse to take the foot off the gas.
Montreal Canadiens
Forward Lines
Jonathan Drouin – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
Tomas Tatar – Max Domi – Andrew Shaw
Paul Byron – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia
Matthew Peca – Nate Thompson – Artturi Lehkonen
Defence Pairs
Victor Mete – Shea Weber
Mike Rielly – Jeff Petry
Brett Kulak – Jordie Benn
Goaltenders
The New Jersey Devils have gone through a lot of changes in the last couple of days. Keith Kinkaid is now backing up Sergey Bobrovsky in Columbus while Marcus Johansson will be looking for an opportunity to contribute with the Boston Bruins.
New Jersey also had some internal transactions sending Joey Anderson and Brett Seney down to the AHL while calling up Nathan Bastian, Michael McLeod and most recently, John Quenneville. With Jesper Bratt taking a seat due to injury as well, there is not too much NHL names out there for the Devils to deal with.
Though Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmeri are still threats. Palmeri is leading New Jersey in both goals (26) and overall points (48), and Hischier is right there with him with 17 goals and 26 assists in 58 games.
Corey Schnieder will be the name in net with recent recall Mackenzie Blackwood backing him up. It’s been a difficult time for Schnieder due to injuries and inconsistent play that cost him his starting job in favour of Kinkaid. With the trade to the Blue Jackets, the 32-year-old has an opportunity to prove himself again as an NHL starting goaltender.
Schnieder is coming off a loss to the New York Rangers that saw him give up four goals. However, his three games prior were solid including two shutouts. If the Devils manage to stay in the game, it’ll surely be because of him despite the perception that a tank is in the works.
Scoreboard Watch
The Buffalo Sabres are in Toronto tonight after adding Brandon Montour to their blueline while sending Nathan Beaulieu elsewhere. They’re currently six points out so hopefully the Leafs can do the Habs a favour and shut them down.
As for the Montreal Canadiens, the key is to win and not let the Devils play spoiler. Marc Bergevin is putting the onus on the players in the locker room, and they’ve proven so far they can step up when called upon.