Montreal opens at home vs. high-scoring ‘Hawks
Here are five things you should know about the Canadiens-Blackhawks game at the Bell Centre Tuesday (7:30 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN-690 Radio).
1 Tough way to open
This is the home opener for the Canadiens, and they get a break because the Blackhawks will be coming off a tough game Monday in Toronto. Montreal needs all the help it can get because Chicago is an offensive juggernaut, scoring 15 goals in their first two games while holding the opposition to two. The Canadiens have played three games and have scored three goals.
2 Isn’t that special
The Canadiens came up empty on their lone power play in New York Sunday and they are 0-for-9 on the season. They had good looks in Washington Saturday, but were unable to score. The Canadiens’ penalty kill has allowed two goals on 12 opportunities and ranks 12th in the NHL with an 83-per-cent success rate. The good news is that two of Montreal’s three goals have been short-handed.
3 Kiddie corner
Rookie defenceman Victor Mete is making a strong bid for permanent employment in the NHL with solid performances alongside Shea Weber. But the Blackhawks have an undersized 19-year-old of their own in Alex DeBrincat. The 5-foot7, 165-pound winger has played with Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Artem Aisinimov this season. The Michigan native was an OHL all-star last season when he scored 65 goals with the Erie Otters.
4 Fountain of youth
Tomas Plekanec will be 35 on Halloween, but the veteran Czech has been energized by playing with Artturi Lehkonen and Charles Hudon. They have formed the Canadiens’ most cohesive line through three games, although like most of their teammates, they are trying to find a way to score. The line produced 11 of the Canadiens’ 34 shots in New York Sunday. If you’re keeping score, Alex Galchenyuk is also looking for his first point.
5 Injury update
Is this the night free agent defenceman David Schlemko makes his debut as a Canadien? He has been out since the beginning of training camp with a bruised hand, but he has been skating and sources says he’s “very close.” Chicago has Marian Hossa, Michal Rozsival and Jordin Tootoo on long-term injured reserve and have lost centres Tanner Kero and Nick Schmaltz since the start of the season.