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Pregame : Canadiens vs Panthers |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
Tonight’s match-up will pit the Habs against a team that is fighting for a playoffs spot and is starting to get desperate. After a rough start, the Cats are starting to find their way and have a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games. Clearly, they’ll fight tooth and nails (or claws) for their playoff life and they’ll no doubt see tonight’s game as a must win.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens announced yesterday that Christian Dvorak had undergone knee surgery and that his season was consequently over. It’s hard to remember a time where a team was as hit by injuries as these current Habs and if things keep going this way, they’ll be literally limping to the finish line of the season.
After Samuel Montembeault spent the better part of the last two games in net, I expect Jake Allen to get the start tonight. From a lottery standpoint, if the Canadiens’ win, they’ll hurt the Panthers playoffs push and might contribute to their first-round pick being a lottery pick which would be music to Habs land’s collective ears since the Habs hold the Cats’ pick thanks to that Ben Chiarot trade. However, a Canadiens’ loss would push the Habs further down the standings and maximize their chances at winning the jackpot… a win-win situation if you will.