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Canadiens @ Maple Leafs: Kotkaniemi in for Evans | GAME 2 PREVIEW

Sam Gerber

GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs: 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 very frightening collision took center stage as Leafs captain John Tavares took a knee to the head in what was a freak accident. It has now been learned that Tavares has no structural damage to his head or neck but did suffer a concussion and knee injury. This is positive news on what could have been a severe injury. The game seemed like an afterthought but it had to go on. The Habs won the game thanks to excellent goaltending and a highlight reel goal by Paul Byron.

Last game: MTL 2  TOR 1 

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Maple Leafs: Price Steals Opener | GAME 1 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Carey Price
    Price was outstanding in every respect in game one providing the path to victory. He may be in the heads of the Leafs, but Toronto has a lot of weapons and will be playing with emotion meaning that the Canadiens will need more of a team effort to take Game 2.
  • Jesperi Kotkaniemi
    With Jake Evans being sidelined with an injury, Kotkaniemi will get an opportunity to be in the lineup. Kotkaniemi will want to make an impact but must control his emotions to ensure that his contribution is positive.
  • Josh Anderson
    Anderson brought emotion and energy to game one with a goal, extra effort on the backcheck and physical play. The Habs need a carbon copy of of Anderson’s first game with a touch more finish around the net.

Keys to Victory

  • Stay composed
    The Habs will have to be ready. The Leafs lost not only the game but their captain and they are going to be motivated to win it for him.
  • Be physical
    The Habs had a 28-hit advantage over the Leafs last game. This is exactly how they need to play and need to bring energy to their performance.
  • Win special teams
    Both teams did nothing on the power-play but the Habs really struggled entering the zone and setting up their attack. The Leafs aren’t going to take three puck over glass penalties again but the Habs need to start taking advantage of the situation and not lose any momentum from a flat power-play.
Statistical Matchup
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | May 22, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, CNBC

2020-21 Playoff statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
0-1 Record 1-0
0-1 Home/Away 1-0
0-1 Last 10 1-0
1.00 GF/G 2.00
2.00 GA/G 1.00
0.0 (14th) PP% (rank) 0.0 (13th)
100.0 (4th) PK% (rank) 100.0 (3rd)
58.21  CF% 41.79
Pre-game Quotes
Tyler Toffoli
  • “We know that we can be a lot better than Game 1. We didn’t do a good enough job holding onto pucks and making the small little plays that we can make and be successful with. We know that we can be a lot better and we’ve got to bring it tonight.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Hyman – Matthews – Marner
Galchenyuk – Foligno – Nylander
Mikheyev – Engvall – Kerfoot
Thornton – Spezza – Simmonds		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Toffoli – Suzuki – Armia
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Lehkonen
Perry – Staal – Anderson
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Muzzin – Holl
Sandin – Bogosian		 Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Chiarot
Merrill – Weber
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Hutchinson, Liljegren, Noesen,  Dermott, Nash
Injured: Tavares (concussion, knee)
 Scratched: Gustafsson, Ouellet, Frolik,  Caufield, Romanov
Injured: Evans (undisclosed), Drouin (undisclosed)
Goalies
Jack Campbell Carey Price
Record: 0-1
GAA: 2.08
Sv%: .933
SO: 0
Alternate: Frederik Andersen		 Record: 1-0
GAA: 1.00
Sv%: .972
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
Every playoff game is important but the chance for the Habs to go up two games to none couldn’t be more important of a game. The Leafs are going to do everything they can to win.

Bottom Line

The key for the Habs will be to weather the storm early, counter the Leafs attack and continue to play their style of hockey. It will be up to the Habs defence to allow Carey Price to see the puck but not get overly aggressive and take a penalty.
 Video Highlights

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