Game #76 ~ Florida Panthers @ Montreal Canadiens. Thursday, March 30th, 2017.

[Clues]

Thursday, March 30th, 2017

Florida Panthers (33-32-11, 77 points) @ Montreal Canadiens (43-24-9, 95 points)

TV: SNE, RDS, FS-F

7:30pm

Claude Julien's troops play host to the Florida Panthers on Thursday night at the Bell Centre, going in search of their third straight win and trying to secure a playoff berth in the process.

If the Canadiens manage to down the Panthers in either regulation time or OT, they'll officially clinch a postseason berth after failing to do so last year.

Carey Price will make his fourth straight start for the Canadiens. Charlie Lindgren could very well serve as Price's backup. Lindgren was recalled from the AHL's St. John's IceCaps on Wednesday afternoon after it was revealed that Al Montoya remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

The Canadiens enter their penultimate regular-season meeting with the Panthers on a high note after downing the Dallas Stars by a score of 4-1 on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre. Thrust into action after Montoya went down during the morning skate, Price made 27 saves to pick up his 35th win of the year. Meanwhile, Alexander Radulov and Max Pacioretty snapped nine and six-game goal droughts, respectively, as the Canadiens' top line came up big in the win.

For his part, Andrei Markov tied Hall-of-Famer Guy Lapointe for second spot on the Canadiens' all-time points list among defensemen with the 572nd point of his career when he assisted on a third-period tally by Artturi Lehkonen.

The Panthers enter Thursday night's contest on a two-game losing streak and are on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Jonathan Marchessault leads Tom Rowe's squad with 29 goals on the year, while Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck are Florida's top point-getters with 52 points each.

Only a few players skated Thursday morning at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, including goalie Charlie Lindgren, forwards Brian Flynn, Torrey Mitchell and Michael McCarron, as well as defensemen Nikita Nesterov and Andrei Markov. The veteran Russian blue-liner didn't skate on Wednesday, having taken a treatment day instead.

Defenseman Jeff Petry also stretched his legs a bit on the ice, taking a few shots without equipment.

Julien will announce any changes to his lineup a bit later in the day.

The two teams will meet again on April 3 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. 

https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/pregame-game-preview-panthers-canadiens-the-canadiens-try-to-clinch-a-playoff-spot-on-thursday-night/c-288226514

[maas_art]

Thanks Clues.  

Lets hope the boys continue to build on their confidence and put together a solid game. 

[kinot-2]

Thanks Clues,,, now put that apron on and turn on the oven.

 

[H_T_L]

CLINCH DAY

[vegasrick]

17 minutes ago, H_T_L said:

CLINCH TRAP DAY

Fixed. 

[vegasrick]

38 minutes ago, kinot-2 said:

Thanks Clues,,, now put that apron on and turn on the oven.

I think that's Clues in the middle.  

[habs1952]

1 hour ago, vegasrick said:

I think that's Clues in the middle.  

Nah...this is her on the left.

[kinot-2]

Habs announce Jordie Benn is injured and won't play tonight. Brandon Davidson draws in, and Andreas Martinsen in for Torrey Mitchell.

 Benn's injury is upper body.

[vegasrick]

44 minutes ago, kinot-2 said:

Habs announce Jordie Benn is injured and won't play tonight. Brandon Davidson draws in, and Andreas Martinsen in for Torrey Mitchell.

 Benn's injury is upper body.

That's all right, it's just the Florida Panthers.....another non-playoff team.....that whooped the Chicago Blackhawks 7-0 last week.  No problem.  

[maas_art]

50 minutes ago, kinot-2 said:

Habs announce Jordie Benn is injured and won't play tonight. Brandon Davidson draws in, and Andreas Martinsen in for Torrey Mitchell.

 Benn's injury is upper body.

Lets hope its not going to keep him out for long.  We need the beard come playoff time.

[eldag]

Nice to hear Martinsen is playing albeit King is still in which is bad ...... really hope Jordie is a minor thing. He is a KEY for our defense. I am very concerned about Emelin getting more minutes .....

[Clues]

5 hours ago, maas_art said:

Thanks Clues.  

Lets hope the boys continue to build on their confidence and put together a solid game. 

You're welcome! 

[Clues]

5 hours ago, kinot-2 said:

Thanks Clues,,, now put that apron on and turn on the oven.

 

No baking today! Made cookies last game, and there's still some left over.

[Clues]

4 hours ago, vegasrick said:

I think that's Clues in the middle.  

I miss my Easy-Bake Oven.

[kinot-2]

Just now, Clues said:

No baking today! Made cookies last game, and there's still some left over.

Quick,,, put them in the oven to warm them up,,,, that might work.

 

[Clues]

3 hours ago, habs1952 said:

Nah...this is her on the left.

Geez. 

[Habs=stanleycup]

Philly killing NYI 3-0 midway thru the first. I`d luv to see that kinda offence for us this game. 

[vegasrick]

I just hope Boston loses.  

[kinot-2]

We had better grab the lead in the 1st. No more of this lazy stuff. 

[vegasrick]

Quick Prediction:

Tonight, Marchessault gets his 30th goal.  

[Habs=stanleycup]

2 minutes ago, kinot-2 said:

We had better grab the lead in the 1st. No more of this lazy stuff. 

Play like it counts. Every game. Which it does.

[kinot-2]

1 minute ago, vegasrick said:

Quick Prediction:

Tonight, Marchessault gets his 30th goal.  

[vegasrick]

3 minutes ago, Habs=stanleycup said:

Philly killing NYI 3-0 midway thru the first. I`d luv to see that kinda offence for us this game. 

4-0 now.  

[eldag]

2 minutes ago, Habs=stanleycup said:

Philly killing NYI 3-0 midway thru the first. I`d luv to see that kinda offence for us this game. 

Geez ... the Isles have really double clutched down the stretch. I was hoping the Leafs would miss the playoffs just to make it an even better season and that would shut them up for another year .......

[Habs=stanleycup]

Just now, vegasrick said:

4-0 now.  

I Know. That`s the kinda spark we need.