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Pregame: Canadiens vs Predators |
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Hockey Hainsight
After losing their last two games in overtime, the Canadiens will be taking on the red-hot Nashville Predators tonight. Andrew Brunette team has won its last eight games and even though there were rumors about Saros being moved it hasn’t happened yet. According to Frank Seravalli, Barry Trotz has told teams that he intends to keep Saros as long as the Predators remain in contention to make the playoffs. Right now, the Preds are only one point away from the Vegas Golden Knights who hold the last wildcard spot in the west. Saros has got one more year on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million. For a goaltender who’s played 78% of his team’s games and has a 2.82 GAA and a .908 SP, it’s a very reasonable price. Perhaps Saros has got a better chance of being traded in the off-season unless someone makes Trotz an offer he cannot refuse of course.
While we’re on the topic of goaltenders, the Canadiens will be giving the net to veteran netminder Jake Allen tonight in Nashville. The 33-year-old masked man has played 20 games so far this season and presents by far the worst stats of the Canadiens’ ménage à trois with a 3.68 GAA and a .892 SP. It’s a well-known fact that Kent Hughes is keen on trading a goaltender and even though he hasn’t said it’s All, it would make the most sense. Meanwhile, while teams are scratching their potential trade bait, the Canadiens are giving the net to Allen. There’s no point in further showcasing him, the whole league is well aware of what Allen can (or cannot) do. Even with the Canadiens retaining part of his cap hit, I doubt Allen will move before Friday’s trade deadline.
The two teams have crossed paths just once this season with the Predators winning by a score of 2-1. Juraj Slafkovsky missed practice yesterday as he was benefiting from a treatment day, let’s hope it’s nothing too serious. As for Jayden Struble, head coach Martin St.Louis believes he might be able to play tonight, but that remains to be confirmed. If he’s back in, I expect to see Jordan Harris making way for him.
The puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 ET and while the Canadiens players would probably love to win this one, it’s getting to the point where fans are almost wishing the team would love to have a better pick at the next draft.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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