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Canadiens @ Lightning: Silence the Storm | HABS GAME 5 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

A desperate effort from the Habs forced a game five with big games from Josh Anderson and Carey Price. It was a slow start for the Habs but Price shut the door early allowing the Habs to get the all important first goal of the game from Anderson. Then Price made  several key stops down the stretch while killing a Shea Weber double minor penalty. The Habs managed to shut down the league’s best power-plays. The momentum generated  from the penalty kill propelled Anderson to score the game winner forcing Game 5.

Last game: MTL 3  TBL 2 (OT) | Lightning lead series 3-1

For a complete game recap: Lightning @ Canadiens: Habs Alive After OT Thriller | GAME 4 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Carey Price
    It’s evident that Price stole the last game for the Habs as he has done so often in each round of the playoffs. Price will be the Habs best player but his teammates should use his inspiration to each play their best game possible.
  • Josh Anderson
    The scoring hero from last game has been criticized his whole career for his consistency. This is the game where he can quiet that criticism with the same type of performance as last game.
  • Tyler Toffoli
    Toffoli is one of the few players who has been here before but he would like to forget about the first four games of this series. Obviously everyone is banged up this late into the playoffs but that doesn’t excuse effort which just hasn’t been there from Toffoli. Finding his scoring touch again could be just what the Habs need to force Game 6.

Keys to Victory

  • Score first
    Scoring the first goal of the game gave the Habs confidence rather than having to chase the game. Taking a lead on the road will be even more important to quiet the fans, and to settle the Habs allowing them to control the game.
  • Play physical
    The extra effort made on being physical was a factor last game and several Lightning players took some big licks. It’s exactly what the Habs need to do again as the Lightning players started worrying about the hit more than the puck.
  • Maintain composure
    The desperation of the Habs was on full display last game and it’s going to be needed again but they have to keep their composure. They lost it for a minute and were victimized when two of their top four defensemen were in the penalty box and it almost cost them the game.
Statistical Matchup for Stanley Cup Final, Game 5
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL | July 7, 8:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NBC

2020-21 Playoff statistics
LIGHTNING CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
15-7 Record 13-8
– Last 10 –
33.9 (3rd) PP% (rank) 20.0 (8th)
83.3 (4th) PK% (rank) 91.4 (1st)
48.0 Faceoff% 49.5
3.36 GF/G 2.43
2.05 GA/G 2.52
47.72  CF% 48.94
Pre-game Quotes
Ben Chiarot
  • “We’re playing for the Stanley Cup here. There’s nothing bigger than this. So, if you have a problem getting up for the game, you’re probably in the wrong business.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Palat – Point – Kucherov
Colton – Cirelli – Stamkos
Goodrow – Gourde – Coleman
Maroon – Johnson – Joseph		 Toffoli – Danault – Gallagher
Anderson – Suzuki – Caufield
Byron – Evans – Lehkonen
Perry – Staal – Armia
Defensemen
Hedman – Rutta
McDonagh – Cernak
Sergachev – Savard		 Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Romanov – Kulak
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Smith, Schenn
Injured: Killorn		 Scratched: Frolik, Lindgren, Tatar, Ouellet,  Kotkaniemi, Gustafsson, Merrill
Injured: Drouin (undisclosed)
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy Carey Price
Record: 15-7
GAA: 1.99
Sv%: .935
SO: 4
Alternate: Curtis McElhinney		 Record: 13-8
GAA: 2.34
Sv%: .922
SO: 1
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Lightning have only given up three goals or more in back-to-back games twice in the postseason and have yet to do it three games in a row. The Habs will have to find a way to get to Andrei Vasilevskiy early and often. He has played well but some of the goals he has let in have been stoppable and that has to be an encouraging feeling for the Habs. The Lightning are still confident and believe if a few bounces went their way in game four the series would be over but that’s hockey, a game of inches and that is why the fourth win is always the hardest one.

Bottom Line

The Habs believe, and so should we, it’s not over until it’s over. The Habs are ready to go through a wall to force Game 6.
 Video Highlights

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