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

A Look Back

The Golden Knights dominated the Canadiens thoroughly for 40 minutes. Carey Price was sensational in keeping the Canadiens close once again. Josh Anderson was the overtime hero as Price stole another game for the Habs in the playoffs.

Last game: MTL 3  VGK 2 (OT) | Canadiens lead series 2-1

For a complete game recap: Golden Knights @ Canadiens: ‘We Just Don’t Quit’ | HABS GAME 3 RECAP

Players to Watch

• Phillip Danault
  Danault has yet to score a goal in 14 games of the playoffs despite being the most-used forward by the Canadiens at 19:26 per game. While Danault is counted on for defensive play, his high usage means he must contribute to the Habs offence.
• Josh Anderson
  Anderson was the overtime hero in game 3. Prior to his two-goal outburst, Anderson had not scored in 13 games. He will have to keep his scoring ways going with the Habs challenged to produce offence.
• Erik Gustafsson 
  Gustafsson has been a liability on the Habs defence throughout the playoffs. He had just 5:10 of icetime at even strength in game 3. If the coaching staff have such little trust in Gus, Alexander Romanov should be given another opportunity.

Keys to Victory

• Start strong
  Uncharacteristically, the Canadiens got off to a very slow start in game 3 and that continued through the second period. Game 4 is pivotal in the series and the Habs would be well-served to make things difficult for Vegas from puck drop.
• Test Lehner
  Robin Lehner is expected to start tonight for the Golden Knights. Lehner has not started since May 30th where he gave up seven goals against Colorado. Canadiens shooters should test him early and often.
• Stay disciplined
  The officiating was criticized universally as atrocious in game 3. With the same set of referees working game 4, the Habs will have to be on their best behaviour to stay out of the penalty box.

2020-21 Playoff statistics

• “We’re playing smart in our structure, guys are aggressive up the ice, not giving the defensemen carrying the puck up ice much time. That kind of breaks up their breakout. Once they’re in our zone, we’re doing a good job pressuring them and letting Pricey see the puck. We’re just quick in our structure, guys are getting in lanes, and Pricey comes up with the save when we need it.”
• “I think I speak for all the defensemen when I say that we’d all go through a wall for Luke (Richardson.) That’s the best compliment you can give a coach. We’d go through a wall for him because we know he’d go through a wall for us. He’s a player’s coach. He played forever and he knows exactly what we’re going through. He’s been great for us. All the defensemen love him.”

Bottom Line