The Montreal Canadiens return to the ice this evening as they welcome the Vancouver Canucks to the Bell Centre. The Canadiens might need to shake off a little rust as they have not played since their 2-1 victory Saturday night vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs. With an 8-0-1 record they remain the only team in the league not to have lost in regulation and lead the NHL with 17 points. After a hot start, the Canucks have since cooled down having lost four games in a row and sit fourth in the Pacific division with nine points. For the teams to be meeting in their tenth game of the young season is somewhat a twist of fate. Last year, the Canadiens rode into Vancouver with their undefeated record of 9-0 only to be pummeled by them and former Hab Brandon Prust. The Canucks are certainly hoping that they will be able to repeat last year’s fate.
The Canadiens lineup remains unchanged and there are no healthy scratches as the team has yet to call up a forward and defenceman from St. John’s. The Ice Caps were in action last night as they defeated the Utica Comets 4-3 in overtime. They have a rematch this evening and so without any injuries, the Canadiens are tempting fate by waiting until likely after the Ice Caps game tonight to make their roster moves. Mark Barberio and Daniel Carr both scored in the Ice Caps victory and it is expected that the duo will be the one’s to be called up, although it is possible that Sven Andrighetto could get the nod as he has been impressive since he was returned to The Rock.
#Habs lines vs #Canucks:
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) November 2, 2016
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Shaw
Radulov - Galchenyuk - Gallagher
Lehkonen - Plekanec - Byron
Danault-Mitchell-Flynn
#Habs D & G vs #Canucks:
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) November 2, 2016
Emelin - Weber
Markov - Petry
Beaulieu - Pateryn
Price starting
Montoya
The Canucks will likely feature a lineup of:
#Canucks with optional skate at the Bell Centre. Lines could look something like this, & consider Dorsett could draw in for Skille. #TSN690 pic.twitter.com/dfvpUCJ71E
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) November 2, 2016
Coach confirms Burrows and Dorsett will return, Miller starts. He's hoping Tanev can play as well.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 2, 2016
5 Questions for tonight’s game:
1) Will the Canadiens powerplay manage to score for the fifth consecutive game?
2) Will the Canadiens come out rusty or with energy to burn to start the game?
3) Do you think the Canadiens lines will end the game as they started?
4) Ryan Miller has a history of playing quite well against the Canadiens. Is tonight going to be a goalies duel or a high scoring game?
5) Will the Canuck repeat history and break the Canadiens streak for the second consecutive year?
Puck drops at 7:30pm.
Cheers & follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler