Canadiens Game: Struble & Slafkovsky Hope To Keep Momentum

The Montreal Canadiens (12-12-3) host the Nashville Predators (14-13-0) at the Bell Centre on Sunday night. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.

Martin St-Louis’ team rebounded nicely against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night after a difficult game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The Sabres controlled the play early, but thanks to some excellent goaltending from Cayden Primeau the Canadiens were given enough time to take control of the momentum.

One of the exciting storylines from Saturday was Juraj Slafkovsky’s play. He participated in the first fight of his career during the emotional win. In addition, he scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.

Levi challenges Slafkovsky, and Slafkovsky takes advantage to score a very nice shootout goal.

He was pumped about that one. #GoHabsGo win in the shootout. pic.twitter.com/1yW3eMcgfZ

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

Defenceman Jayden Struble continues to enjoy a great start to his NHL career. He plays a simple, yet effective brand of defence that features very few mistakes. But Struble’s real value is his impact at the other end of the rink.

Quick, efficient puck retrievals turn into controlled exits from the defensive zone, and consequently, high-danger scoring chances for the Canadiens.

Struble also scored the first goal of his career against the Sabres, a very nice rush play that was started and finished by the 22-year-old blueliner.

Jayden Struble starts the rush and then scores his first career NHL goal!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/sSeUwv1bg3

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 10, 2023

MUST READ: Habs Stats Pack – Evaluating Jayden Struble’s NHL Start

Given that they played last night, the team did not hold a full practice on Sunday morning. There is yet to be confirmation as to the team’s starting goaltender.

On that note, Jake Allen did not travel to Buffalo. If St-Louis wanted to return to the three-goalie rotation he would give his veteran goaltender the start. But St-Louis broke that pattern recently by giving Montembeault back-to-back starts. We’ll have to wait until the head coach addresses the media before the start of the game to confirm which goaltender will start against the Predators.

The Preds currently have one more point than the Canadiens in the standings, having won seven of their last 10 games. They’re coming off a difficult 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. That type of game usually leads to an improved effort the following day, which means the Canadiens cannot take the Predators lightly.

Skilled forward Filip Forsberg leads the charge offensively, with 14 goals and 16 assists in 27 games. Roman Josi continues to be the team’s most productive blueliner. The former Norris Trophy winner currently has six goals and 14 assists.

This will be hard for Habs fans to process,  but as it stands, the Predators do not have a single player out of action due to an injury.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• David Savard (out 6-8 weeks)
• Carey Price (IR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)
• Kirby Dach (out indefinitely, ACL/MCL)
• Rafael Harvey-Pinard (IR)
• Jordan Harris (out indefinitely)
• Alex Newhook (out 10-12 weeks)

Nashville Predators Injuries

None.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Nashville Predators Projected Lineup

Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist

Sherwood – Novak – Evangelista

Treinin – Scissons – Smith

Parssinen – Glass – Tomasino

Defence

McDonagh – Josi

Lauzon – Carrier

Schenn – Fabbro

Goalie

Saros

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