Game 15: Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In Canada: CBC, SNE, SNO, SNP (English), TVAS (French)
Streaming: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
After back-to-back losses to the Seattle Kraken and Washington Capitals (and the bag skate that followed), the Montreal Canadiens vowed to show more going forward. They’ve somewhat lived up to this promise, looking more spirited and energetic in their next three games. Unfortunately, their efforts have not translated to wins. Some of that is bad luck, particularly against the Calgary Flames, but much of it is still due to the Canadiens’ tendency to undo 10-15 minutes of solid hockey with a major mistake. Three losses by a single goal (plus two empty-netters) is still three losses, and the Canadiens arrive in Toronto bearing a five-game losing streak.
If there are silver linings to be found in not winning for nearly two weeks, the Canadiens can take some solace in the contributions of their role players. Christian Dvorak, Brendan Gallagher (three points each), Joel Armia, and Josh Anderson (two points each) have played key roles in what offence the Canadiens have managed to muster during the last five games. Alex Newhook also managed to double his goal-count on the season with two versus the New Jersey Devils.
Their efforts, however, have been offset by the struggles of the top forwards. Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovský do all have two points apiece in the last five games, but expectations are rightfully much higher for Montreal’s offensive standard-bearers. Concerningly, Kirby Dach hasn’t hit the scoresheet at all during this stretch. The defence, renowned last year for its offensive production, has only scored three goals so far this season.
| Canadiens | Statistics | Leafs |
|---|---|---|
| 4-8-2 | Record | 8-5-2 |
| 45.4% (27th) | Scoring-chances-for % | 52.4% (8th) |
| 2.71 (22nd) | Goals per game | 3.07 (17th) |
| 4.07 (32nd) | Goals against per game | 2.67 (6th) |
| 20.8% (12th) | PP% | 18.4% (16th) |
| 83.3% (12th) | PK% | 85.0% (8th) |
| 1-0-0 | Head-to-Head Record | 0-1-0 |
Generating offence isn’t going to get much easier against the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the Canadiens emerged triumphant in the season-opener, they were outshot by almost a two-to-one ratio. Since then, the Leafs haven’t reached where they would like to be, sitting with an 8-5-2 record. They have alternated two losses and two wins over their last eight games, having seen off the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 last night.
Toronto’s most pressing concern is the health of captain Auston Matthews, who will be absent against Montreal on Saturday, missing his third straight game. In his absence, Max Domi has centred Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies, while John Tavares is flanked by William Nylander and Max Pacioretty. Curiously, despite scoring seven times in two games, the Leafs have not tallied a five-on-five goal in Matthews’s absence, scoring five power-play goals and two empty-netters.
Naturally, the first power-play unit has driven the team in recent days: Morgan Rielly has five points in Matthews’s absence. Marner has four points, Nylander three, and Tavares and Knies two apiece. Given this, special teams will naturally be more imperative than ever before, and a Canadiens penalty kill that has allowed one goal in their last three games will be put to the test.
After facing Anthony Stolarz to start the season, Montreal will likely contend with Joseph Woll on Saturday as Toronto plays the second game of a back-to-back. Stolarz has been lights-out for Toronto, posting a .930 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average. Woll, on the other hand, sits at 0.892 and 2.70 and has been firmly relegated into the backup position.
Even with the Leafs on the back end of a back-to-back, the odds are against Montreal snapping their losing streak during their trip to Toronto. At the same time, the Canadiens do have a habit of elevating their game against the Leafs. They’ll need to tap into that habit on Saturday and try and take advantage of a Toronto team that hasn’t come close to hitting top gear yet.
