logo torontologo canadiensPreview Game #49

Canadiens vs. Toronto

Air Canada Centre – Jan. 18, 2014 – 7:15pm

 

Game Notes –

…….After Tampa Bay’s 5-4 home ice loss to San Jose Saturday afternoon, with a win the Canadiens can tie Tampa for second place in the Atlantic Division.

……Toronto has won three in a row, beating New Jersey, Boston and Buffalo.   Two of the wins via shootout.  They have not won four in a row since Feb. 5-11 of last season.

…..The winning streak has put the Leafs in the playoff picture.  They are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference.

……Against Toronto, the Canadiens have won two of last three and three of five overall.  They have won four of the last five at the Air Canada Centre.

……Going into the last meeting between the Canadiens & Leafs Nov. 30th the teams had identical 14-9-3 records.  Since then the Canadiens are 13-7-2; Toronto is 10-11-2.

…..Since the Canadiens 9-0-1 streak ended on December 10th, the Canadiens are 8-7-2.

…..Carey Price’s last start in Toronto was April 13th of last season.  He gave up three goals on four shots and was pulled from the game in the 11th minute.

….. Jonathan Bernier has lost all three career starts against the Canadiens with a 3.39GAA.  He has won his last two starts this season.  Bernier was in goal in the 4-2 loss Nov. 30 at the Bell Centre, stopping 35 of 39 Canadiens shots.

…..In the nine games since Tyler Bozak came off the injury list, the line of Bozak, Kessel and van Riemsdyk has carried the Leafs.   Bozak has five goals and six assists, Kessel  four goals and seven assists and van Riemsdyk  four goals and four assists.  The line has accounted for 13 of the Leafs 23 goals over the nine games.

…..Phil Kessel has 1 goals, 6 assists in his last 4 games against the Canadiens.

…..In 36 games Colton Orr has 0 goals or assists and 8 shots on goal.  His average ice time is 5:48.

…..Toronto has nine shootout victories the season.  They have only three wins in regulation time over their last 28 games but, with the gimmick wins, their record is 11-13-4.

……The Canadiens scored on their only power play opportunity Thursday in Ottawa ending an 0-for-17 streak.   Over the last 12 games they have four PPG in 40 opportunities.

Probable Toronto Line Combinations

21-James van Riemsdyk  42-Tyler Bozak  81-Phil Kessel

12-Mason Raymond  43-Nazem Kadri  19-Joffrey Lupul

37-Carter Ashton  24-Peter Holland  41-Nikolai Kulemin

Troy Bodie  11-Jay McClement  28-Colton Orr

36-Carl Gunnarsson  3-Dion Phaneuf

4-Cody Franson  8-Tim Gleason

51-Jake Gardiner  44-Morgan Rielly

45-Jonathan Bernier

 

Game Statistics –

Season Record – Canadiens –  48GP (27-16-5)      Toronto – 49GP (24-20-5)

Last Ten Games –   Canadiens  (5-3-2)    Toronto (6-4-0)

Season Series –  Third of five games.  @Bell Centre Oct. 1 – Toronto-4 Canadiens-3  van Riemsdyk, Phaneuf, Bozak & Raymond for Toronto.  Eller (2) & Gallagher for Montreal.  Goaltenders Price/Reimer.  @ Bell Centre  Nov. 30 – Canadiens-4 Toronto-2   Canadiens take 4-0 lead on goals by Pacioretty (2), Subban & Plekanec.   van Riemsdyk and Raymond for Toronto.  Goaltenders -Price/Bernier.

Last Time Out – Canadiens beat Ottawa 5-4 Thursday.

Home/Road – Canadiens on the Road – (13-8-2)   Toronto at Home (16-10-1)

Special Teams – Power Play – Canadiens ranked 10th   32/165   19.4%       Toronto ranked 5th   34/154   22.1%    Penalty Killing  – Canadiens ranked 4th  22/158  86.1%     Toronto ranked 27th   38/169  77.5%

Goaltending– Canadiens – Carey Price  38GP (22-14-4)  2.26GAA  .926save%       Toronto – Jonathan Bernier – 34GP (15-14-4)  2.58GAA  .926save%

Who’s Hot – Canadiens – Max Pacioretty six goals 4 assists last eight games;  Tomas Plekanec two goals vs. Ottawa … Toronto –   Phil Kessel,- two goals, six assists in his last four games..

From the Clinic –  Canadiens – D-Douglas Murray (lower body); D-Raphael Diaz (flu); C-Lars Eller (flu); D-Davis Drewiske (IR-shoulder surgery); RW-Alex Galchenyuk (IR-broken hand); C-Ryan White (IR-upper body);  Toronto –  RW-David Clarkson (IR-elbow bursa sac injury);  Frazer McLaren (IR-shoulder); C-Dave Bolland (IR-severed ankle tendon); LW-Trevor Smith (IR-broken hand)

 

Montreal

Toronto

2.5

Goals Per Game

2.59

2.33

Goals Against Per Game

2.96

28.46

Shots on Goal Per Game

27.55

29.96

Shots Against Per Game

36.39

11.21

Penalty Minutes Per Game

13.33

32

Power Play Goals

34

19.4%

Power Play %

22.1%

22

Power Play Goals Allowed

38

86.1%

Penalty Kill %

77.5%

6

Shorthanded Goals

4

2

Shorthanded Goals Allowed

4