Montreal Canadiens vs. Arizona Coyotes Preview, Time, TV, Live Stream
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens start their three-game road trip against the Arizona Coyotes, who have been having a positive beginning to their season.
The Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes have had an interesting relationship over the years. Dating back to the 2015-16 season, the two teams have gone back and forth in sweeping their season series. There’s not much to go by on a yearly basis seeing as they only play each other twice in a given season, but the trend is something to take note of. Especially if the pattern swings against the Habs.
Going back three years ago, the Coyotes won both games against the Habs. Montreal responded the next season winning both games while the pendulum swung back in Arizona’s favour the year after. And as the pattern would dictate, the Montreal Canadiens took the matches last season, winning 2-1 both times.
If we’re following the law of the pattern, Arizona will take the season series this year, but the Canadiens can’t fall into that rhythm. It will be a more difficult task considering how improved the Coyotes have been.
Phil Kessel is the new shiny toy in the organization; however, the team has gotten production from Nick Schmaltz and Conor Garland. Schmaltz is leading the Coyotes in overall points, while sophomore Garland’s six goals are the highest on the team. Another aspect of the roster that is doing wonders is their goaltending.
Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta keep Arizona in games and give them time to battle back if they’re facing an early deficit (sound familiar?).
The team is currently in a playoff spot though they understand the difference one or two points can make at the end of the year. They’ll be wired for this matchup as a win will extend their streak to three games.
Montreal, on the other hand, should have no excuse for lack of energy. They had a big win themselves over Toronto and haven’t played since Saturday night. The team is likely to go with the same lineup, but there is a chance Jordan Weal gets back in the lineup.
That chance is a slim one, though, even if he cycled at centre with Nate Thompson at practice. Nick Cousins has performed well for the Habs, and there’s no way Julien sits him for this one.