Maple Leafs @ Canadiens: Caufield Slots In | GAME 3 PREVIEW

By
Sam Gerber
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3Tugmevx

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 tied game after the first period changed pretty quickly after the Habs took six straight penalties. Some of the infractions were justified some were soft calls. In my opinion, it was the non-calls throughout the game on the Leafs that were unacceptable. That changed the game completely and then a questionable coach’s challenge gave the Leafs more momentum. In addition, the Habs offense struggled and quality chances were not only limited but led to blown opportunities.

Last game: MTL 1  TOR 5 

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Maple Leafs: Habs Struggle to Score | GAME 2 RECAP

Players to Watch

  • Nick Suzuki
    To beat the Leafs, the Habs will need Suzuki to be one of their best players. He has  recorded only one shot in two games which is simply not enough. Suzuki knows he needs to be better as the Habs count on him for offense.
  • Cole Caufield
    With Eric Staal being less than 100 percent, Dominique Ducharme is giving Caulfield  an opportunity to get into the lineup. The 20-year-old will get his first action of the postseason after scoring five points in ten games in the regular season. It is hoped that Caufield will bring much needed scoring touch to the Habs offence.
  • Brendan Gallagher
    Gallagher will be on a new line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Tyler Toffoli to help him make an impact on the game. Gallagher has been invisible in the first two contests and will need to get to the Leafs crease to cause chaos.

Keys to Victory

  • Generate offence
    The Leafs offense started clicking last game, mostly due to the numerous power plays. The Habs offense needs to be able to counter and make the zone time more even.
  • Be disciplined
    The Habs have had two games to learn the physical line that they can’t cross. If they play smart, physical and disciplined hockey they will have a chance to get back in the win column.
  • Play 60 minutes
    Once the game got away from them the Habs were defeated, and stopped playing their game. The Habs need to stick to the physical game plan as the Leafs are going to either try to counter it, something they’re not equipped to do or they are going to turnover the puck.
Statistical Matchup
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC | May 24, 7:00 PM ET | TV: CBC, SN, TVAS, NHLN

2020-21 Playoff statistics
MAPLE LEAFS CANADIENS
— Points (rank) —
1-1 Record 1-1
1-1 Home/Away 1-1
1-1 Last 10 1-1
3.00 GF/G 1.50
1.50 GA/G 3.00
20.0 (8th) PP% (rank) 0.0 (15th)
100.0 (1st) PK% (rank) 80.0 (9th)
57.43  CF% 42.57
Pre-game Quotes
Cole Caufield

  • “There’s a lot of excitement. It’s a playoff game. We need to bring the energy. I was put in the lineup to help the team win and do the things that I can. It’s going to be a pretty special night.”
Projected Forwards, Defense and Goaltenders (subject to change)
Forwards
Hyman – Matthews – Marner
Galchenyuk – Foligno – Nylander
Mikheyev – Engvall – Kerfoot
Thornton – Spezza – Simmonds		 Tatar – Danault – Anderson
Armia – Suzuki – Caufield
Toffoli – Kotkaniemi – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Byron – Perry
Defensemen
Rielly – Brodie
Muzzin – Holl
Sandin – Bogosian		 Weber – Chiarot
Edmundson – Petry
Kulak – Merrill
Out of the lineup
Scratched: Hutchinson, Liljegren, Noesen,  Dermott, Nash
Injured: Tavares (concussion, knee)
 Scratched: Gustafsson, Ouellet, Frolik,  Romanov
Injured: Staal (undisclosed), Evans (undisclosed), Drouin (undisclosed)
Goalies
Jack Campbell Carey Price
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Record: 1-1
GAA: 1.53
Sv%: .943
SO: 0
Alternate: Frederik Andersen		 Record: 1-1
GAA: 2.60
Sv%: .928
SO: 0
Alternate: Jake Allen
 Game Expectations
The Habs succeeded in splitting the first two games in Toronto. It’s not the same without the fans but the Habs need to show once again it’s not going to be a walk in the park for the Leafs. The Habs have under-performed in this series so far and just added one of their most offensive weapons in Cole Caufield. It’s not a secret that the Leafs are going to play him extra hard and this series could dictate whether Caufield can make up for his small stature.

Bottom Line

That said, the lines have been scrabbled and the Habs now have two offensive lines and two checking lines. The Leafs will likely have to counter the new lines and will have a plan in place but if the Habs depth can do its job the Habs will do much better than Saturday night. .
 Video Highlights

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