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Canadiens @ Lightning: Manage the Puck | HABS GAME 2 PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning: 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

The Habs battled early but were given a wake up call. The Lightning didn’t let up and scored three unanswered goals in the third period. The Habs let the game get away from them but were lucky to be in the game at all. That was solely due to Carey Price who was outstanding keeping the Habs in it until midway through the third period. The Lightning showed exactly why they are the defending champs and controlled a majority of the game.

Last game: MTL 1  TBL 5 | Lightning lead series 1-0

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Lightning: Costly Mistakes | HABS GAME 1 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Nick Suzuki
    Suzuki and his linemates were steamrolled by the Brayden Point line in game one.  The Habs desperately need Suzuki to rise to the challenge and be one of their best players. It was apparent that Dominique Ducharme’s game plan didn’t include a strategy to match lines but perhaps the coaching staff will have a better approach in game two.
  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson was very physical last game along with Artturi Lehkonen, Joel Edmundson, Ben Chiarot, and Shea Weber to lead the team in hits. Bringing an edge to his game  is welcome but Anderson’s offence is has been lacking and is needed for this series.
  • Joel Armia 
    Coach Ducharme and his coaching staff chose to make Armia a healthy scratch last game following his false positive test. Armia’s size and strength was missed on the fourth line. Hopefully Armia can bring some energy to game two.

Keys to Victory

  • Limit turnovers
    The Lightning scored three goals off Habs turnovers last game which decided the game. The Habs must make better choices and have to be the team forcing turnovers in order to get the win.
  • Match lines
    In my view, Ducharme’s game plan should direct the bench staff to do a better job matching lines. While not having last change, the coaching staff should have Phillip Danault’s line playing against Brayden Point’s line as much as possible.
  • Start strong
    The Habs need a good start and quick strike. The Habs can’t allow the Lightning to exert their will like they did last game.
Statistical Matchup for Stanley Cup Final, Game 2
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL | June 30, 8:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NBCSN

2020-21 Playoff statistics
LIGHTNING CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
13-6 Record 12-6
– Last 10 –
37.5 (2nd) PP% (rank) 20.0 (8th)
83.6 (4th) PK% (rank) 91.8 (1st)
47.8 Faceoff% 49.2
3.32 GF/G 2.44
2.00 GA/G 2.33
48.13  CF% 48.15
Pre-game Quotes
Luke Richardson
  • “We’ve got to play a more respectful game to our systems, like managing the puck, playing 200 feet, and our battle level and compete level just has to rise. I’m sure it will. It has in every series. I know the guys are eager to get back and play a better game. Just those three things alone are going to give us a better chance in this game and in this series.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Palat – Point – Kucherov
Johnson – Cirelli – Stamkos
Goodrow – Gourde – Coleman
Maroon – Colton – Joseph		 Lehkonen – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Suzuki – Caufield
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Anderson
Perry – Staal – Armia
Defensemen
Hedman – Rutta
McDonagh – Cernak
Sergachev – Savard		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Gustafsson – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Smith, Schenn
Injured: Killorn		 Scratched: Frolik, Lindgren, Tatar, Ouellet, Kulak, Romanov, Evans
Injured: Drouin (undisclosed)
COVID protocol: Ducharme
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy Carey Price
Record: 13-6
GAA: 1.94
Sv%: .936
SO: 4
Alternate: Curtis McElhinney		 Record: 12-6
GAA: 2.18
Sv%: .928
SO: 1
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Habs hopefully have learned from their mistakes in game one and will have fire under them for game two. Everyone has to be better and that starts with mental toughness. The Habs have to go after the Lightning’s best players and make them uncomfortable. Expect another battle with the Habs sending a message that this isn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Bottom Line

Leaving Tampa Bay with a tied series is exactly what the Habs want to do. It starts with getting traffic in front of the net, being disciplined and having the determination to win.
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