Montreal Canadiens

Game 57 Preview: Montreal Canadiens @ Vancouver Canucks

Published

3 years ago

March 9, 2022

The Montreal Canadiens (15-34-7, 37 pts) play the final game of their 10-day western road-trip against the Vancouver Canucks (28-23-6, 62 pts) on Wednesday night before heading back to the Bell Centre (10:30 PM ET, RDS, SNP, TSN2).

After a very convincing win against the Edmonton Oilers, the Canadiens are looking to maintain their winning ways of late against the Canucks, a team, the Canadiens, tormented last season under the North Division. With Tyler Toffoli no longer around to haunt the Canucks, the Canadiens are banking on the improved play of their top forwards to continue overwhelming teams with their relentless effort and free-flowing offence. Head coach Martin St. Louis will look for big games on the road from his star youngsters Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield to have success against Vancouver’s strong centre depth.

The Canadiens will start Samuel Montembeault, who was excellent against the Oilers on Saturday night with a 28-save performance. With Andrew Hammond injured and Cayden Primeau called up emergency basis, the Canadiens will likely ride Montembeault until they play their back-to-back games this weekend. So far this season, the Montembeault is 6-11-4 with a 3.66 GAA and a .897 save percentage.

Thatcher Demko is expected to get the start for the Canucks tonight. He’s having a solid season for the Canucks with a 25-16-2 record. In that time, he’s posted a 2.63 GAA, and a .917 save percentage.

Montreal Canadiens Notes

Nick Suzuki continues to dominate in all situations for the Canadiens, putting up 12 points in his last seven games.

Cole Caufield has quite literally exploded under St. Louis, posting 14 points in his last 11 games.

Edmonton Oilers Notes

After a slow start, Elias Pettersson has returned to his scoring ways, with 15 points in his last 11 games.

J.T. Miller continues to prove why he’s such a coveted asset right now, posting 17 points in his last nine games.

Montreal Canadiens Lines:

Forwards

Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Josh Anderson

Mike Hoffman – Laurent Dauphin – Brendan Gallagher

Paul Byron- Jake Evans- Rem Pitlick

Joel-Armia- Ryan Poehling – Artturi Lehkonen