Opinion
3 min read

Will the Montreal Canadiens Triumph at Canadian Tire Centre?

As the Montreal Canadiens prepare to face off against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre, fans are eager to see if their team can bounce back from a recent defeat. The Canadiens' performance in their last game on March 31st against the Carolina Hurricanes was less than stellar, as they were shut out with a score of 0-3. Despite putting up 26 shots and delivering 21 hits, they failed to convert any opportunities into goals.


Jan 23, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic (26) celebrate his goal against the Ottawa Senators with his teammates at the bench during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

The Habs' powerplay unit struggled significantly during that game, failing to capitalize on three chances. This has been an ongoing issue for MTL; their inability to make use of powerplay opportunities could be detrimental against OTT if not addressed promptly. Additionally, MTL's faceoff win percentage stood at a mere 43 percent – another area requiring immediate improvement.


However, it's not all doom and gloom for Habs fans. Looking back at their March 28th game versus the Philadelphia Flyers provides a glimmer of hope. The Canadiens emerged victorious with an impressive scoreline of 4-1, showcasing what they're capable of when firing on all cylinders. They managed a shooting percentage of 24 percent from just 17 shots and blocked an impressive number of attempts by their opponents.


Jan 23, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) sprays water on his face during a break against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

MTL's goaltending has been solid when considering save percentages across these games; however, consistency in defense and offense is key for them moving forward.


On the other side of the rink stand the Senators who will be looking to exploit any weakness shown by MTL's squad. Their previous performances have demonstrated that they can be formidable opponents when given space and opportunity.


Jan 23, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) plays the puck against Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

The upcoming battle between these two teams promises to be an intriguing one with both sides having points to prove – MTL seeking redemption after their recent loss and OTT aiming to assert dominance on home ice.


Fans should mark April 13th on their calendars as this is when these rivals will clash at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EDT and those unable to attend can catch live coverage via ESPN+ over the internet – ensuring no one misses out on what could potentially be one of this season’s most exciting matchups between these historic franchises.

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