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Radio: FOX Sports 98.9/1340
LAST TIME OUT
In Peter DeBoer's Vegas debut, the Golden Knights earned an emotional 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Former Senator Mark Stone carried Vegas in his return to the Canadian Tire Centre with an assist on Paul Stastny's goal just 34 seconds into the game, and then doubled the Vegas lead with a goal of his own late in the second. Chandler Stephenson padded the lead with a shorthanded goal early in the third to make it 3-0. Minutes later Ottawa struck to get on the board, but Ryan Reaves answered with a tally of his own and, despite a late goal from the home team, Vegas secured the road win with a 4-2 final score.
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
OPPOSITION UPDATE
In their final game before the break, the Canadiens hope to grab back-to-back wins as they currently find themselves 6th in the Atlantic Division with 49 points in 49 games. Montreal is just 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.
Tomas Tatar has led the offensive effort this season for Montreal with 43 points (17G, 26A) in each of the team's 49 games.
Montreal signed 36-year-old forward Ilya Kovalchuk on January 3, and he owns seven points in seven games since joining the Canadiens. Kovalchuk carried his team to victory on Thursday night with two goals against the Flyers.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Start Fast, Again: It took Vegas only 34 seconds to get on the board in Peter DeBoer's debut: the fastest they've scored to start a game the entire season. The Golden Knights will look to grab an early lead once again on the road against the Canadiens.
Play Together: Yesterday saw the first practice with Peter DeBoer on the ice, and plenty of new instruction to go along with it. Systematic changes will take time to settle in, but heading towards the break Vegas must continue to play with the same chemistry they have all season.
