Road Trip Finale for Utah, Canadiens Aim for a Strong Finish
Utah Hockey Club vs. Montreal Canadiens: Road Trip Finale for Utah, Canadiens Look to End Homestand Strong
The Utah Hockey Club (8-10-3) will close out a challenging four-game road trip as they face off against the Montreal Canadiens (7-11-2) at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday, November 26. This matchup features two teams who have struggled to find consistent success early in the season, making it a crucial contest for both squads as they seek to get back on track.
Utah enters this game as a -145 moneyline favorite, and puck drop is set for 7:00 PM ET. Both teams will be looking to rebound from recent losses, with Utah aiming to finish their road trip on a positive note and Montreal hoping to close their four-game homestand with a much-needed victory.
Utah Hockey Club: Struggling to Find Consistency on the Road
The Utah Hockey Club has faced growing pains in their inaugural NHL season, with their struggles most evident during this road trip. After a solid 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hockey Club fell short against the Toronto Maple Leafs, losing 3-2 despite holding a 1-0 lead after the first period. Utah has now lost four of their last five games and has been unable to win consecutive contests since the opening week of the season.
In net, Karel Vejmelka has been the primary goaltender since Connor Ingram went on injured reserve. Vejmelka’s recent form has been steady but not spectacular, as he stopped 32 of 35 shots in the loss to Toronto, bringing his record to 2-6-0 with a 2.30 GAA and a .926 save percentage. With Ingram sidelined, Vejmelka remains the top option for the club, while rookie Jaxson Stauber awaits his season debut.
Defensively, Utah has struggled, allowing 3.19 goals per game (22nd in the NHL), while their offense has only managed 2.71 goals per game (tied-21st). Clayton Keller has been the team’s most consistent offensive performer, leading the way with 6 goals and 13 assists, while Dylan Guenther has chipped in 9 goals and 9 assists. However, the Hockey Club’s lack of depth on both sides of the puck has hindered their ability to string together victories on the road.
Montreal Canadiens: Battling Inconsistency on Home Ice
The Montreal Canadiens enter this game on the heels of a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, their second defeat in the past five games. Despite a strong physical effort, registering 40 hits, the Canadiens managed only 17 shots on Vegas’ net, showcasing their ongoing struggles to generate consistent offense. Montreal had earlier secured two strong home wins, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 and shutting out the Edmonton Oilers 3-0, but their inability to maintain momentum against top-tier opponents has been a consistent theme.
In goal, Sam Montembeault has started the last four games but has struggled with his form. He gave up five goals on 25 shots against Vegas, dropping his record to 6-9-1 with a 3.08 GAA and a .899 save percentage. Cayden Primeau, who has posted a dismal 4.59 GAA and .842 save percentage in limited action this season, serves as his backup.
The Canadiens’ defense continues to be a major weak point, allowing a league-worst 3.80 goals per game (31st in the NHL). While their offense has averaged 2.80 goals per game (19th in the league), it has been far too reliant on the play of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Suzuki leads the team with 7 goals and 12 assists, while Caufield has been the main goal scorer with 12 goals and 4 assists. However, Montreal needs more secondary scoring if they hope to improve their chances moving forward.
Conclusion
Both teams have been inconsistent this season, and this matchup will come down to which team can find its rhythm. Utah’s offensive struggles and defensive deficiencies have kept them from stringing together wins, while Montreal’s inability to generate offense outside of their top players has been a significant issue.
The Utah Hockey Club has the edge in offensive depth and goaltending, and they should be able to take advantage of a Montreal team that continues to struggle defensively. However, if Montreal’s top players can step up and the Canadiens’ defense improves, they might be able to close out their homestand with a win.
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