FINAL | Qualifier Series, Game 2 | Monday August 3, 2020

Best of five series is tied 1-1

Canadiens Lineup

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Jonathan Drouin – Nick Suzuki – Joel Armia

Paul Byron – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Artturi Lehkonen

Dale Weise – Max Domi – Jordan Weal

Ben Chiarot – Shea Weber

Brett Kulak – Jeff Petry

Xavier Ouellet – Victor Mete

Carey Price – Charlie Lindgren

Jake Evans, Ryan Poehling, Charles Hudon, Christian Folin, Noah Juulsen, Victor Olofsson, Cayden Primeau, Michael McNiven

Alexander Romanov

Alex Belzile

Game Report

If Claude Julien’s strategy for the qualifying series rests solely on closing his eyes and hoping that Carey Price can carry this team to victory in superhuman fashion, then you would have to say that the head coach is right on track.

In the first two games, this series has exhibited all of the aspects of the mismatch for which it was billed. Yet each team has scored four (non-empty net) goals and the series is tied at a game each. 

There is only one reason that the results do not bear any resemblance to the game action: the outstanding play of Carey Price. That too, was predicted in advance.

Even with a few extra months of prep time, Julien hasn’t been able to put together a scheme to slow down the attack of the Pens. Shots on goal were 29-13 after 40 minutes; shot attempts were 53-23.

And yet, the Habs entered the third period trailing by just one goal.

If the coach had managed to map out an effective power-play, the Canadiens could be a game away from putting away the series. Montreal generated just one shot on goal in three power-play opportunities tonight.

Undisciplined penalties and bench minors were also a big problem in this game. Fortunately the penalty-kill was perfect, including defending another 5-on-3 disadvantage. But again, the lion’s share of the credit goes to No. 31. Price stood on his head as the Pens peppered 14 shots on goal during their five power-plays.

There is one Habs skater worthy of mention. Jesperi Kotkaniemi picked up his second goal of the series, which matches Sidney Crosby’s output. But more important than the goals is the way they were scored with Kotkaniemi driving to the net to trigger the goal light both times.

Price has provided a gift to his team. The series is now a best of three. Perhaps the head coach can address a few questions before Wednesday night.

Why is Jonathan Drouin still on the power-play? Two blind passes on the same shift single-handedly sunk one man advantage alone. And the rest of his play is soft, lazy and lacking any genuine effort. Drouin has no business occupying a top-six slot.

Why is Dale Weise in the lineup? Weise play less than seven minutes tonight being granted just nine shifts. Jake Evans deserves a chance.

Xavier Ouellet looks lost and his defensive pair, with Victor Mete, are an adventure each time they are on the ice. Would Noah Juulsen or Cale Fleury be an upgrade?

With Jesperi Kotkaniemi playing well in both games, why did he take to the ice for just over ten minutes tonight?

Perhaps Julien needs to take a page out of Scotty Bowman’s coaching manual and practice line changes. The Habs had two, too-many men penalties tonight. Montreal had the fourth most bench minors in the regular season.

There are other questions, Claude. But Wednesday will be here soon. Time to get to work.

The Penguins and Canadiens will meet on Wednesday night for game three at Scotiabank Arena.

Plus / Minus

▲▲ Carey Price

▲  Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen, Paul Byron

▼  Nick Suzuki, Ben Chiarot, Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Jeff Petry, Brett Kulak, Joel Armia, Victor Mete