Canadiens Lineup

Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Tyler Toffoli – Nick Suzuki – Joel Armia

Paul Byron – Jake Evans – Artturi Lehkonen

Corey Perry – Eric Staal – Josh Anderson

Joel Edmundson – Jeff Petry

Brett Kulak – Ben Chiarot

Jon Merrill – Shea Weber

Carey Price – Jake Allen

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Cole Caufield, Erik Gustafsson, Michael Frolik, Alexander Romanov, Charlie Lindgren

Alex Belzile, Laurent Dauphin, Lukas Vejdemo, Jesse Ylonen, Cale Fleury, Otto Leskinen, Xavier Ouellet, Cayden Primeau, Michael McNiven

Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed)

Game Report

A few minutes before puck drop, the NHL released the official rosters and starting lineups for the two teams. For the Canadiens, Jake Allen was listed as the starter. It was was a mistake that was later corrected, but for six or seven minutes, it caused quite a stir.

This game could have turned out much, much different. But fortunately it was the Canadiens franchise player between the pipes and he delivered yet another playoff gem. Carey Price was magnificent pitching a 35-save win, stealing the opening game of the first round playoff matchup between the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs. Price signaled very early on that he was on his game making a tough stop on Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly in the opening minutes.

Price was incredible. His positioning was textbook, he swallowed rebounds and through his composure, he brought a calm that impacted his teammates. They in turn, played a strong physical game, setting the tone from the outset.

While it was the physical play that slowed the Leafs, the Canadiens used their speed to score twice via Josh Anderson and Paul Byron. That was all of the offence Price would need on this night. 

The Leafs controlled the second period recording half of their high-danger scoring chances. But Price carried his team through the storm of the middle frame.

Price’s incredible blocker save in the third period on Mitch Marner was the turning point of the game. A short time later Paul Byron scored a short-handed goal after a great defensive play by Joel Armia. 

The underdog Canadiens had pulled off an enormous upset driven in no small part by Price and his .972 save percentage for game one. In fact, Price has a .938 save percentage in his last 17 playoff starts.

Up Next

John Tavares was taken to hospital after suffering a horrific accident Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said that Tavares was conscious and communicating. So far the tests have come back clear. The Leafs captain will overnight in the hospital

Jake Evans was not able to complete the game. Dominique Ducharme offered no update on his condition after the game. If Evans can’t go next game, expect Jesperi Kotkaniemi to draw into the lineup. 

The Canadiens and Maple Leafs will renew acquaintances on Saturday night in Toronto for game two of the series.

Plus

▲▲ Carey Price

Minus

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