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 second period hasn’t been the Habs friend all playoffs and once again it got the better of them. After a strong first period, the momentum changed in the second and Vegas didn’t look back. Defensive breakdowns, bad penalties and mental mistakes cost the Habs as they dropped the first game of the series. It’s only one game and the Habs showed in the first period they can keep up with this team but it is now an uphill battle. Carey Price was on the top of his game but wasn’t able to get any goal support.

Last game: MTL 1  VGK 4 | Golden Knights lead series 1-0

For a complete game recap: Canadiens @ Golden Knights: Lost Without A Lead | HABS GAME 1 RECAP

Players to Watch

• Jesperi Kotkaniemi
  Kotkaniemi was benched in the third and saw the second least amount of ice time. The Habs are going to need him to be at his best to have a chance in this series. Being a physical presence will be key to his game but if he can play a Gallagher-esque style for the Habs, Vegas will start to pay more attention to him.
• Brendan Gallagher
  The Habs need him to be the pest he is. He did a great job in the beginning of the game but when the game got away from the Habs, he stopped being effective. When Gallagher is in the heads of his opponent he is at his best.
• Paul Byron
  Since scoring the game winner in game one of the playoffs, Byron has been a liability. Byron has been guilty of frequent blown coverage at the point, has been pushed off pucks easily and is not using his strengths. Byron should be parked at the point covering the defenseman and be using his speed every shift. The Habs need to take advantage of his speed which could push back the Vegas defense.

Keys to Victory

• Protect the net front
  The offence from Vegas is run by their defense and the Habs have to change their defensive coverage to give them little space. The Habs defense for the most part is strong enough to defend the Vegas forwards but if the Habs are able to shut down the point, Vegas should struggle to generate their normal offense.
• Limit turnovers
  The Habs were victimized for their turnovers and mental mistakes last game. This is round three of the playoffs, any team knows that you have to take advantage of anything the opponent gives you. The Habs should be a much better team tonight.
• Stay disciplined
  While the penalties were fairly even in the game, the Habs took some undisciplined ones and that changed the game drastically. While Vegas didn’t score on the power-play, it had its chances and did score seconds after one was over. The Habs were a little overwhelmed which explains the penalties. Tonight should be much different as the Habs know what to expect.

2020-21 Playoff statistics

• “We liked our first period in the series-opener. We want to be more consistent in the way we play. We want to repeat what we did in the first period for the entire 60 minutes tonight. We want to be more effective with the puck, and we want to be more active and dynamic in terms of supporting the puck carrier. Those are the kinds of details that will help us be more consistent for 60 minutes.”

Bottom Line