The Montreal Canadiens are on the second half of a back-to-back and need a win tonight against the Detroit Red Wings and Filip Zadin to limit any standings damage.
Tonight is a must-win for the Montreal Canadiens. Not only because of the standings and the threat of the out of town scoreboard via Pittsburgh, Columbus, Carolina, and Buffalo but due to the revitalization that the team needs.
Montreal walked into New Jersey and took on a lineup with nine AHLers and lost. Corey Schneider was a big part of it as well stopping 34 of 35 shots. However, the Habs didn’t wake up until the second period, and the powerplay was a non-factor again leading to their second straight loss.
Paul Byron was the only player to find the back of the net springing himself on a shorthanded breakaway. A very Byron way to score but the Montreal Canadiens had nothing else to show for it.
That game was another example of an unfortunate truth for the Habs. If they don’t have anything going for them at even strength, their offence is heavily inhibited. Carey Price can keep the game close, but he can’t score goals, and the team needs to have a much better start and convert (did I mention the powerplay?).
There wasn’t a morning skate, but it’s likely the top-nine remains the same. The fourth line could easily have a new look with Jordan Weal joining the team on Monday’s deadline. Weal is versatile and can play any position, and Claude Julien could easily slide him in for Matthew Peca or Nate Thompson. Knowing Julien, the former wouldn’t shock me.
Montreal Canadiens (prediction)
Forward Lines
Jonathan Drouin – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
Tomas Tatar – Max Domi – Andrew Shaw
Paul Byron – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia
Artturi Lehkonen – Nate Thompson – Jordan Weal
Defence Pairs
Victor Mete – Shea Weber
Mike Rielly – Jeff Petry
Brett Kulak – Jordie Benn
Goaltenders
Antti Niemi
Carey Price
Detroit is on a similar slump though it’s as expected. They’re 29th in the league and still have their eyes set on the future. However, games between the Habs and Red Wings tend to get a little fiery and there are two more reasons as to why it can be heated to a new level.
Madison Bowey is making his NHL debut on the blueline while Filip Zadina is in the lineup to play his first game against the Habs.
Remember him? The perception was that the Habs were going to take Zadina third overall and instead drafted Kotkaniemi. Good choice considering how well the 18-year-old has looked all season. But he did say he would fill their nets with pucks. It’ll be interesting to see how he fairs in this.
Detroit Red Wings
Forward Lines
Darren Helm – Dylan Larkin – Anthony Mantha
Tyler Bertuzzi –Andreas Athanasiou – Filip Zadina
Luke Glendening – Frans Nielsen– Michael Rasmussen
Justin Abdelkader – Jacob de La Rose – Luke Witkowski
Defence Pairs
Niklas Kronwall – Mike Green
Danny Dekeyser – Filip Hronek
Trevor Daley – Madison Bowey
Goaltenders
The key to this game is a response. The worst case scenario is the Montreal Canadiens lose while the other teams win. It wouldn’t be too bad as they’ll be one point out if anything, however, the symbolism of another loss at this stage of the season is what the team can’t afford.