Montreal Canadiens (1-0-0-0) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (0-1-1-0) - 7PM CBC/AM640

[L K]

            

Montreal Canadiens    AT  Toronto Maple Leafs

             

1-0-0-0                                            0-1-1-0

3GF 2GA                                           5GF 7GA

     1 Road Win                                           OT Home Loss 

Who's Hot

      Saku Koivu 2 goals                            Nik Antropov 2 goals   

            Andrei Markov 2 assists                   Mats Sundin 1 goal 2 assists   

Probable Lineups

Higgins - Koiuv - Ryder
Kovalev - Grabovski - Kostitsyn
Latendresse - Plekanec - Smolinski
Murray-Begin-Kostopolis

Markov - Komisarek
Brisebois - Hamrlik
Bouillon - Streit

Huet
Price

Blake-Sundin-Antropov
Ponikarovsky-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Pohl-Tucker
Battaglia-Devereaux-Newbury

Kaberle-Kubina
McCabe-White
Gill-Wozniewski

Toskala
Raycroft

Keys to the Game

1) Special Teams

Montreal is coming off a successful 3-2 OT victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, buoyed by a powerplay that went 3/8.  Toronto is currently 0-14 after their home and home series with Ottawa.  Paul Maurice spent practice on Friday working on greater puck movement to open up McCabe's shot from the point.  A greater emphasis on traffic in front of the net will be crucial to scoring on Huet.

2) Getting off to a good start

Montreal is playing on two days rest, the Leafs three games in four nights.  Fatigue may set in by the 3rd period and a lead would go a long way to helping those legs have a little extra jump.

3) Discipline/Physical Play

Mark Streit has a shot very reminiscent of Sheldon Souray.  If the Leafs find themselves short handed it may be a very long night.  The Leafs have a size advantage and will be able to outmuscle the Habs at ES.  Finish checks, initiate board battles in both the offensive and defensive zones, press the play up the ice.

Obviously there are still questions as to who starts this game but the leading candidate appears to be Vesa Toskala after a very strong performance in the losing effort on Wednesday.  No lineup changes were made during practice.

Television: CBC(HD)/RDS(HD)
Radio: AM640
Gametime: 7:00EST

[Wellwoods#1Fan]

GO LEAFS GO!!!

This is going to be a very close game and the 2 points could go to any team.

[Manson]

Yessssssss, I can't wait! It's time for revenge! 

[Mississauga Matt]

Dig them aerodynamic sweaters!

[L K]

Yessssssss, I can't wait! It's time for revenge! 

Are Montreal's lines right?  I was just going off a quick skim of the shift chart (which is brutally impossible to read in the new format) and what some of the preseason lines were.

[Leafer4Life~]

GO LEAFS GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kick Some Hab Ass! 

[Manson]

Yessssssss, I can't wait! It's time for revenge! 

Are Montreal's lines right?  I was just going off a quick skim of the shift chart (which is brutally impossible to read in the new format) and what some of the preseason lines were.

The only thing different is Chipchura will likely be centring Begin and Kostopolous...Murra y should be out, but who knows, maybe they will dress him for this game

[Manson]

Awesome GDT by the way.  I actually read the whole thing.  I usually just skim through the first post.

Very good points you bring up.  I completely agree that you will need to get traffic in front of Huet for success. If there are a lot of penalties, I think Montreal has the advantage.  If the refs put the whistles away, advantage Toronto.

[Hockey_gal]

Awesome GDT LK

I hope the boys play just as good as they did the last couple games and grab their first win

[Wellwoods#1Fan]

Awesome GDT LK

I hope the boys play just as good as they did the last couple games and grab their first win

They should have got their well deserved first win a couple of nights ago

[Manson]

Why do I have the overwhelming feeling that this game will go to overtime?

Actually, I'm gonna play Proline and pick a tie...I just feel like it's a lock.

[Omallley]

I have a good feeling about this game.

And if we lose, LK will take the blame, along with McCabe for making too many stupid faces.

[PG]

6-1 Leafs

[Omallley]

6-1 Leafs

PG, I know you are feeling optimistic when you predict 3 wins in a row

I think this will be a good game too. Leafs will come out on top, after a couple moments of panic in the third period.

[PG]

6-1 Leafs

PG, I know you are feeling optimistic when you predict 3 wins in a row

I think this will be a good game too. Leafs will come out on top, after a couple moments of panic in the third period.

Is there any doubt that Sundin gets the record Saturday night?