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Canadiens @ Golden Knights: Back to Vegas | HABS GAME 5 PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Vegas Golden Knights: Preview, TV, Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets, NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series

Game Preview

A Look Back

It was another tight checking game that saw the Habs score the first goal but it would be their last of the night. Vegas came from behind and won in overtime. Robin Lehner played well but the talk of the night was a poorly officiated game once again. The NHL should be embarrassed with the performance by the referees as the outcome of playoff hockey shouldn’t be affected by the officials.

Last game: MTL 1  VGK 2 (OT) | Series tied 2-2

For a complete game recap: Golden Knights @ Canadiens: Fail to Finish | HABS GAME 4 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Brendan Gallagher
    Habs need a spark going into Vegas and Gallagher needs to be the one to deliver it. Gallagher has no points so far in the series. Gallagher knows he has to make an impact and is running out of time to do it.
  • Cole Caufield
    Caufield had a breakaway chance to double the Habs lead but telegraphed his move and was stopped. Caufield made a defensive mistake that led to the tying goal. He is learning every game, but needs to do what he does best, being a threat every shift.
  • Carey Price 
    The Knights will have a ton of momentum and the Habs will need their best player. Price has been sensational throughout the playoffs carrying his team and stealing games. His teammates must do their part by providing goal support.

Keys to Victory

  • Maintain focus
    It would be understandable if the Canadiens lost their focus due to inept officiating. It is something they can’t control and will only be a distraction away from playing their game.
  • Capitalize on chances
    The Habs need to capitalize on a good start to the game and not let the Vegas netminder get comfortable. Getting a lead, especially in the first period, is key.
  • Be defensively responsible
    Both goals scored by Vegas in game 4 came on blown coverage. Each player needs to pay attention to small details to shut down the Golden Knights.
Statistical Matchup for Round 3, Game 5
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV | June 22, 9:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NBCSN

2020-21 Playoff statistics
GOLDEN KNIGHTS CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
10-7 Record 10-5
– Last 10 –
10.3 (16th) PP% (rank) 18.4 (8th)
73.5 (12th) PK% (rank) 92.9 (1st)
53.3 Faceoff% 49.8
2.94 GF/G 2.40
2.29 GA/G 2.27
54.18  CF% 48.63
Pre-game Quotes
Luke Richardson
  • “Our guys are feeling very confident right now. It’s a credit to our leadership group, which is led by Shea Weber. He brings stability, not just on the ice, but how he composes himself and how he talks on the bench, in between periods and after games. Guys like Corey Perry and Eric Staal have been big additions to our team this year. I think everybody’s feeling confident, everybody knows their role, and they’re playing exceptionally well. That’s going to continue, whether we’re in the lead, whether we’re behind, tied, in overtime, or at the start of the game. We want to keep that same mindset.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Pacioretty – Tuch – Stone
Marchessault – Karlsson – Smith
Janmark – Roy – Kolesar
Carrier – Nosek – Brown		 Lehkonen – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Suzuki – Caufield
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Anderson
Perry – Staal – Armia
Defensemen
Martinez – Pietrangelo
McNabb – Theodore
Holden – Whitecloud		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Gustafsson – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Coghlan, Hague, Reaves
Injured: Stephenson		 Scratched: Frolik, Lindgren, Tatar, Ouellet, Kulak, Romanov
Injured: Evans (concussion), Drouin (undisclosed)
COVID protocol: Ducharme
Goalies
Robin Lehner Carey Price
Record: 1-1
GAA: 3.97
Sv%: .877
SO: 0
Alternate: Marc-Andre Fleury		 Record: 10-5
GAA: 2.09
Sv%: .931
SO: 1
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
Going from a few thousand fans to a sold out arena will give Vegas a lot of energy and they should come out flying. The Habs know exactly what to expect now and were able to quiet the crowd in game two. The depth players of the Habs need to step up as they require two more wins to punch their ticket into the finals.

Bottom Line

Scoring first in Vegas and quieting the crowd early will be key. Playing a strong 60 minute game and finishing their chances will go a long way to winning a road game.
 Video Highlights

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