Game #3 Preview: Hurricanes @ Canadiens

 


Hurricanes (2-0-0) @ Canadiens (0-4-0)


Kotkaniemi returns to Montreal after signing with Carolina in the offseason. What could happen in his homecoming? Montreal has yet to win a game in the season up to this point, pretty safe to say they will be motivated to win this game at home for multiple reasons. 


Previous Meeting

The last time Montreal and Carolina played was on February 29th in the 2019-2020 season. Just weeks before Covid 19 came around. Justin Williams scored the game-tying goal with 1:17 on the clock. Jeff Petry won the game for Montreal in overtime. A big extra point that helped Montreal get into the play-in against Pittsburgh at the Toronto bubble. Montreal is looking to win what could be a pivot game for their struggling start to this season.


Svechnikov’s hot start

Andrei Svechnikov through 2 games, has scored 3 goals and added an assist to his leger. One of these goals was the key go-ahead goal against Nashville. Andrei has put up 1.6 expected goals so far, and his on ice expected goals percentage is a crazy 73.6% (Via MoneyPuck.com). Facing Montreal in his career, Andrei has scored 3 goals in 6 career games against the Habs.


Projected Lines

Kotkaniemi-Aho-Teravainen

Svechnikov-Trocheck-Necas

Niederreiter-Staal-Fast

Lorentz-Stepan-Martinook


Slavin-Bear

Skjei-Pesce

Cole-DeAngelo


Andersen


Scratches: B. Smith, Jarvis


What the Analytics Predict

MoneyPuck.com gives Carolina a 50.2% chance of winning tonight.

This game is a battle between one of the best offensive teams in the league against one of the worst offensive teams in the league. Montreal has put up an abysmal 1.89 expected Goals For/60, and an even more embarrassing .96 Goals For/60. While on the other side, Carolina has put up a whopping 3.94 Goals For/60 and an expected Goals For/60 of 3.25 (Via MoneyPuck.Com). Montreal will have to rely on defense and goaltending to win this game


Players to Watch

The obvious answer for Carolina is Jesperi Kotkaniemi. He is getting a chance on the first line again tonight. He will likely get booed, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of the game.


Montreal’s Jonathan Drouin has been the one bright spot for Montreal this season so far. He is their most skilled player but also their most inconsistent. He will need to have a good game to give Montreal a chance to win their first game of the season.

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