Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers to Battle at Bell Centre
As the Montreal Canadiens gear up to host the Edmonton Oilers at the Bell Centre, fans are bracing for what promises to be an electrifying matchup. The Canadiens have been showing a form that could spell trouble for their opponents, especially considering their recent performance against formidable teams.
On December 23rd, in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center, Montreal displayed an impressive offensive prowess. Scoring five goals on 28 shots and boasting a shooting percentage of nearly 18 percent is no small feat. Their powerplay might not have converted opportunities into goals that night, but their even-strength play was where they truly shined. With five even-strength goals and a faceoff win percentage of over 56 percent, they dominated in areas that count.
The defensive side also held strong with goaltending saving over 90 percent of shots faced and only two goals allowed throughout the game. This kind of performance between the pipes will be crucial when facing an Oilers team known for its scoring ability.
However, it's not all smooth sailing for the Habs; there are areas needing attention before facing Edmonton. A look back at their December 22nd encounter with Minnesota Wild reveals some cracks in their armor. Despite securing three points and maintaining a solid faceoff win rate of nearly 51 percent during regular playtime, they faltered slightly in overtime and ultimately lost in extra minutes.
Moreover, while special teams didn't shine as brightly as one would hope during these past games—with powerplay conversion rates leaving room for improvement—their penalty kill has been notably effective.
The upcoming game against Edmonton will test Montreal's ability to maintain discipline while exploiting any weaknesses in Oilers' defense. The key battle may well be fought at faceoff dots where possession often dictates pace and control—a factor that could tip scales given MTL's recent success in this area.
In conclusion, if Montreal can replicate their even-strength success from previous games and tighten up special teams' execution while relying on steadfast goaltending to keep them competitive throughout all periods—there is every reason to believe they can emerge victorious from this clash with Edmonton Oilers.
Fans eager to witness this battle should mark January 14th on their calendars when these two teams take center stage at Bell Centre at midnight UTC (7 PM Eastern Time). The game will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN+, ensuring you won't miss any action from what promises to be an enthralling encounter.