Special teams are once again going to headline this afternoon's matchup as the Edmonton Oilers visit the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
Against the league-leading Capitals yesterday, the Habs squandered three power play opportunities and eventually lost by a score of 3-2. Although they convert on 22.8% of their chances with the man advantage- good for third overall in the NHL- they have not managed to do so in their last three games. A singly tally while up a man stood as the game-winning goal for Alexander Ovechkin and company, who were offered four chances by an undisciplined team.
This time around, the Habs will have to secure two points against an Oilers team that has lost three consecutive games. On the other hand, head coach Michel Therrien’s troops will look to avoid losing three in a row for the first time, and thus one can expect to witness a game of high speed and skill from the sensational Connor McDavid and the rest of his crew. They are right behind the Habs in terms of goals-against (eighth overall) while holding onto the third playoff position in the Pacific Division, but are being closely chased by the Los Angeles Kings who hold two games in hand yet have only six points less than the Oilers.
Lineup adjustments will be made by Therrien as Phillip Danault left yesterday’s game with an upper-body injury. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, it appears that David Desharnais will get right back into the mix after being made a healthy scratch against the Capitals.
Expect Tomas Plekanec to shut down the surging McDavid, who currently boasts 18 goals and 60 points to lead the NHL.
Note: Habs fans seemingly wanted Andrew Shaw to sit yesterday’s matchup out, as 53.73% of respondents would have scratched him.