Comments / New

Canadiens vs. Avalanche: Game preview, start time, Tale of the Tape, and how to watch

Another day, another game, and it doesn’t get any easier for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Habs had some hope recently, winning against the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals, but that memory was quickly erased following their loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday Night.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t get much easier for the Habs, as they play a red-hot Colorado Avalanche team that has won 10 straight games.

However, a few of the Canadiens players have been heating up lately, and may give the Avs a run for their money. Paul Byron has been a surprising revelation at centre for the team lately, having recorded five points in four games since being moved to the position.

His new left-winger, Max Pacioretty, is going through a impressive streak of his own, as he has seven goals in his last seven games, and is looking like his old self again. The Canadiens will need everyone on board if they’re going to put a stop to the streak of tonight’s visitor.

How to watch

Puck drop: 7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST
In Canada: TSN2 (English), RDS (French)
In the Avaaanche region: ALT
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/NHL GameCentre Live, NHL Center Ice

Tale of the Tape

Canadiens Statistic Avalanche
19-22-6 Record 27-16-3
1-1-0 H2H Record (2016/17) 1-1-0
51.2% Corsi-for pct. 48.3%
120 Goals for 154
148 Goals against 132
19.1% PP% 20.9%
78.1% PK% 84.9%

Colorado has been tearing up the league recently, with an incredible 10-game winning streak. Despite being a team many thought wouldn’t be a playoff contender, the Avalanche are in the thick of things, sitting in the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Coming off a come-from-behind win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Avalanche are a mix of young and veteran players who have propelled this club during this streak. Jonathan Drouin’s former Halifax Mooseheads teammate, Nathan MacKinnon, has been one of the hottest players in the NHL of late, posting 59 points in 46 games played, with 24 of those coming in the last 16 games alone.

Rookie Mikko Rantanen has thrived alongside MacKinnon, posting 47 points in 46 games played, including six points in his last three, clearly having chemistry with his centreman.

But most surprisingly of all, Jonathan Bernier has been a force in net for the Avs since Semyon Varlamov went down with an injury, and has won nine straight games dating back to December 3.

The Canadiens may be in tight here against the NHL’s hottest club, but depending on which version of the team we see tonight, they may be able to halt the Avalanche’s run.

Support Habs Eyes On The Prize by signing up for Norton 360