Update: Artem Anisimov is reportedly joining his teammates tonight against the Habs after injuring himself last Wednesday and missing Friday's game against the Washington Capitals.
‘Hawks will get Anisimov back for Sunday’s clash with Habs https://t.co/nGSXacJfVE
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) November 13, 2016
The Montreal Canadiens will have very little time to celebrate their 5-0 decisive win over their Atlantic Division rivals and Original Six team Detroit Red Wings as they ready themselves to face off against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. For the second time in a row, a collective effort was at the root of the Habs’ success, and rallying together at the United Center to defeat the league’s second-best team will be essential, especially since the players owe backup goaltender Al Montoya a strong effort.
Paul Byron (1G), Phillip Danault (1G, 1A), Shea Weber (1G), Max Pacioretty (1G, 1A) and Andrew Shaw (1G, 1A) led the way for head coach Michel Therrien’s troops, while Alex Galchenyuk added two helpers and Alexander Radulov (1A) dazzled everyone with his strong and skillful game yet again.
Also, the Habs have a pretty decent goaltender.
Carey Price did not have to be spectacular through the first 40 minutes of the game yet pitched his second shutout of the young season by stopping all 25 shots he faced. In doing so, he became the first goalie in NHL history to win his first 10 games of the season.
The Habs also bested a record set in 1953 by extending their winning streak on home ice to 10 consecutive games.
In all, everything is working out quite well for the number one franchise in the NHL. They are third overall in scoring with 3.4 goals per game and first in goals allowed with a goals against average of 2.00. The power play jumped to eighth in the league as the team converts 21.7% of their chances with the man advantage.
But the struggling Detroit Red Wings are not the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff Blashill’s squad was without its top scorer Thomas Vanek (prior to his injury) and Jimmy Howard, who recently emerged as the starting goaltender over the favoured Petr Mrazek, had a really tough time against the Habs.
Tonight, perhaps the group’s biggest challenge to date awaits them as Joel Quenneville and the Blackhawks are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games. Their leading goal-scorer Artem Anisimov is sidelined with an injury, as is rookie forward Tyler Motte and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk.
Nevertheless, the Hawks are right behind the Habs in goals scored per game (3.33 GPG) and their power play is 12th while clicking at 19.7%. A great start to the game will be essential for the Habs who are playing their second game in as many nights and traveled to Chicago after their victory.