Opinion
3 min read

Blues and Canadiens Set to Clash at Bell Centre: A Battle of Will on Ice

As the Montreal Canadiens gear up to host the St. Louis Blues at the Bell Centre, fans are bracing for what promises to be a riveting contest. The Canadiens have been showing signs of dominance in their recent performances, and there's every reason to believe that they will carry this momentum into their upcoming game.


Nov 4, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jordan Harris (54) slides against St. Louis Blues center Jordan Kyrou (25) during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at the Canadiens' previous games, it's clear that they have been on an offensive tear. On December 23 against the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal put up an impressive 5 goals with a shooting percentage of 18 percent – a testament to their sharpshooting prowess. Their powerplay didn't convert but with only one opportunity, it wasn't much of a factor. However, they were strong defensively as well, blocking 17 shots and winning faceoffs at a rate of 57 percent.


In another notable performance against the Minnesota Wild on December 22, although suffering an overtime loss with a scoreline of 3-4, Montreal showed resilience by forcing overtime after being down early in the game. They managed to convert once out of five powerplay opportunities while maintaining discipline by only giving away two penalties.


Nov 4, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Montreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky (20) skates against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports

The most recent victory over Winnipeg Jets on December 19 was particularly telling about MTL's ability to capitalize when it matters most – scoring twice during powerplays and securing an overtime win with disciplined play that saw them take only three penalties throughout the game.


The St. Louis Blues will certainly pose a challenge for MTL; however, given Montreal's recent form and home advantage where they seem comfortable dictating play – especially in critical situations like powerplays and penalty kills – there is reason for optimism among Habs fans.


Nov 4, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) defends against Montreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovsky (20) during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports

Defensively speaking, goaltending has been solid for MTL as evidenced by save percentages consistently hitting perfect marks across these past games. This defensive reliability combined with offensive firepower makes them formidable opponents for any team stepping onto their ice.


As we look ahead towards February 11th’s matchup against STL at Bell Centre in Montreal - expect MTL’s players to come out strong right from puck drop at 1 PM EST (6 PM GMT). With both teams eager to assert themselves early on in this encounter between two storied franchises - fans can anticipate an intense battle filled with strategic plays and high-energy action from start-to-finish.


Fans won’t want to miss this clash which can be caught live nationally via ESPN+ or locally on BSMW channel number 671 if you're cheering from St Louis territory!

Rate the article

Related stories

Montreal Canadiens Set Sights on Victory in Columbus Encounter
Opinion

Montreal Canadiens Set Sights on Victory in Columbus Encounter

4 min read
Canadiens Clash with Utah Hockey Club: A Bell Centre Battle
Opinion

Canadiens Clash with Utah Hockey Club: A Bell Centre Battle

4 min read
Can the Montreal Canadiens Outshine the Vegas Golden Knights at Bell Centre?
Opinion

Can the Montreal Canadiens Outshine the Vegas Golden Knights at Bell Centre?

3 min read