FINAL | Qualifier Series, Game 3 | Wednesday August 5, 2020

Canadiens lead best of five series 2-1

Canadiens Lineup

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Jonathan Drouin – Nick Suzuki – Joel Armia

Paul Byron – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Artturi Lehkonen

Dale Weise – Max Domi – Jake Evans

Ben Chiarot – Shea Weber

Brett Kulak – Jeff Petry

Xavier Ouellet – Victor Mete

Carey Price – Charlie Lindgren

Ryan Poehling, Charles Hudon, Christian Folin, Noah Juulsen, Victor Olofsson, Cayden Primeau, Michael McNiven, Jordan Weal

Alexander Romanov

Alex Belzile

Game Report

Will and determination. That’s what the head coach asked for and, to the delight of  Habs fans, their beloved team gutted out a comeback victory. And now, to the shock of the hockey world, the Canadiens hold a 2-to-1 series lead over Sidney Crosby and the mighty Penguins.

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1291217727265345537

Again, the story begins with Carey Price who continues to be sensational in this qualifying round series. But tonight, Price had some help, not necessarily in his own end, but the Canadiens provided run support.

Matt Murray has been shaky in each of the three games. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan tried to boost his goaltender’s confidence by artificially pumping Murray’s tires after last game. The Canadiens should prepare to face Tristan Jarry in game 4 on Friday afternoon.

Tonight, after Montreal took an early lead, the Penguins scored three times, twice on the power-play. But this was a game for warriors. Shea Weber, Artturi Lehkonen, Brendan Gallagher, Paul Byron, Ben Chiarot and Jesperi Kotkaniemi led the Canadiens into the frey and the comeback was on.

Yes, Kotkaniemi who has consistently been the Habs best forward in the first three games of this series. The 20-year-old, who already has two goals in the series, had four hits in the first period.

Paul Byron, Kotkaniemi’s linemate for much of the series, was on the ice for three of the Canadiens four goals tonight. Byron’s first of the post-season was tied the game late in the second period.

Ben Chiarot had a plus-4 rating tonight picking up two assists in his 23 minutes of play. Shea Weber had a three point night with a goal and two assists, logging 23:55 in icetime.

Jeff Petry has scored twice in this series, with both goals coming as the game-winner.

The Penguins and Canadiens will meet on Friday afternoon for game four at Scotiabank Arena.

Plus / Minus

▲  Carey Price, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen, Shea Weber, Paul Byron, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry

▼  Victor Mete, Xavier Ouellet, Dale Weise, Phillip Danault, Tomas Tatar, Max Domi