Habs Game 59: Crucial Tank-Off Between Canadiens And Coyotes

The Montreal Canadiens (22-28-8) will host the Arizona Coyotes (23-29-5) at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm ET.

Thanks to five losses in a row, the Habs find themselves dead last in the Atlantic Division. With less than 25 games to play, every match-up will have a big impact on the team’s NHL Draft Lottery odds.

MUST READ: Canadiens Outlook – Improving Lottery Odds Down The Stretch

This game, in particular, is important as the Coyotes are one of the teams currently below the Habs in the NHL standings.

On that note, despite the recent string of losses, the Canadiens have actually played quite well of late. They’re controlling games against good teams, but they simply don’t have the talent available in the lineup to close out any tight match-ups.

It’s the ideal scenario when it comes to the Canadiens’ long-term rebuild plans. They’re playing well, but they’re not accumulating any needless points in the standings to ruin their draft odds.

Look to Joshua Roy as one of the players to watch down the stretch. The 20-year-old rookie has a goal and four assists in 13 to his credit, but more importantly, he’s making a positive impact any time he’s on the ice.

Not only does he do a great job controlling the neutral zone by providing outlet options for passes, which, in turn, leads to controlled entries into the offensive zone, but he’s also doing a masterful job from a statistical point of view.

Roy leads all Habs players this season with 63.9 percent control of the expected goals. And yes, it’s a small sample size, but no player comes close to matching his impact.

Arber Xhekaj with a big blast from the point, ties the game. Joshua Roy and Joel Armia with assists. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/kff2QR2NRg

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 18, 2024

Jayden Struble was not present at practice, indicating the young defenceman will not face Arizona. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault will be given his 27th start of the season.

As for the Coyotes, it’s business as usual.

They’ve lost 10 games in a row and there seems to be no end in sight when it comes to their long-term outlook. On top of already having an incredibly weak lineup, the Coyotes’ top producer, Clayton Keller, will not be in uniform as they face the Habs.

That leaves Matias Maccelli as the team’s most potent offensive weapon. Maccelli has 10 goals and 28 assists in 57 games. The Canadiens will also have to keep a close eye on Lawson Crouse, who has quietly produced his third 20-goal season in as many years.

With that in mind, this has all the makings of a trap game, which means the Habs will have to take their opponents seriously if they’re to avoid a sixth loss in a row.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

• Carey Price (IR)
• Chris Wideman (IR)
• Kirby Dach (out indefinitely, ACL/MCL)
• Rafael Harvey-Pinard (4-6 weeks)
• Christian Dvorak (out)
• Jayden Struble (day-to-day)

Arizona Coyotes Injuries

• Troy Stecher (IR)
• Travis Boyd (IR)

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Arizona Coyotes Projected Lineup

Zucker – Hayton – Schmaltz

Macelli – Cooley – Guenther

Kerfoot – Bjugstad – Crouse

Carcone – McBain – O’Brien

Defence

Moser – Dumba

Durzi – Kesselring

Valimaki – Brown

Goalie

Ingram

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