MAPLE LEAFS AT CANADIENS
The longest rivalry in the NHL resumes on Saturday night when the Canadiens (7-0-1) are home to the Toronto Maple Leafs (2-2-3). Here are five things to know about the Atlantic Division matchup, writes Pat Hickey:
1. Defence leads the way
Carey Price gets the start in goal for the Canadiens whose leaguebest 7-0-1 record is the result of solid defence. Price, who has a 4-0 record, and Al Montoya (3-0-1) have allowed 1.50 goals a game and no other team has allowed fewer than two goals. The Canadiens are also third in team offence with 3.63 goals a game.
2. Youth will be served
The excitement in Toronto this season centres on Auston Matthews, the No. 1 overall pick in the June draft. He leads all rookies with six goals and 10 points. But he’s not the only rookie standout for the Leafs. The team’s top three scorers are rookies. William Nylander has four goals and nine points, while Mitch Marner assisted on all three goals in Toronto’s 3-2 win over Florida Thursday and has one goal and five assists. He has played all seven Toronto games this season and it appears he will stick with the team rather than head back to the junior London Knights.
3. Mr. October
With four goals, fourth-liner Torrey Mitchell is tied with Brendan Gallagher as the Canadiens’ leading goal-scorer, which puts him on pace for a 41-goal season. Mitchell also had a fast start last season with five goals in his first 11 games. The fourth line of Mitchell, Philip Danault and Brian Flynn has produced six goals this season.
4. Power play on track
The Montreal power play has produced a goal in five of the last six games and ranks 15th in the NHL with a respectable 20.7-percent success rate. Two of Shea Weber’s three goals this season have been game-winners on the power play. Montreal ranks fourth in penalty killing with a success rate of 90.3 per cent.
5. Carr sent down
The Canadiens’ roster is down to 21 players after winger Daniel Carr was sent down to the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps on Friday. Carr has been a healthy scratch for the past six games and he needs some ice time. phickey@postmedia.com