Phil Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 (W2) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (N4) Montreal Canadiens BACKGROUND: The Vegas Golden Knights are heavy favorites against the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Semifinals, but the Canadiens have excelled as underdogs and know the blueprint to defeating the Golden Knights. "I always personally like to prove people wrong," Montreal coach Dominique Ducharme said. "When people think that we cannot do something, it's always nice to … it's another layer where you can gain energy or another challenge." This is a mismatch in many ways. The Golden Knights led the NHL in wins (40) and goal differential (plus-67) during the regular season, tying for the lead in points (82) with the Colorado Avalanche. This is Vegas' third trip to the the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in four seasons. The Canadiens had the fewest wins (24) and points (59) and worst goal differential (minus-9) during the regular season among the 16 playoff teams. This is Montreal's first trip past the second round since 2014. [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]GAME BREAKERS:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Golden Knights: Forward Max Pacioretty played his first 10 NHL seasons with the Canadiens and was their captain from 2015-18 before being traded to the Golden Knights on Sept. 9, 2018. He has scored at a greater rate for Vegas than he did for Montreal in the regular season (0.42 goals per game vs. 0.36) and playoffs (0.47 vs. 0.26). Pacioretty led the Golden Knights with 24 goals this season. After missing the last six regular-season games and first six playoff games because of an undisclosed injury, he has scored eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven games.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: The bad news for Montreal is it has no offensive superstars. The good news is Vegas cannot focus on one or two players. Centers Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki and forwards Joel Armia and Tyler Toffoli are tied for the Canadiens playoff lead in goals with four each. Suzuki was part of the trade that sent Pacioretty to the Golden Knights. Though he never played for Vegas, he was its second pick (No. 13) in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Golden Knights' first.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]GOALTENDING:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Golden Knights: Fleury was voted a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for the first time in his accomplished 17-season NHL career this season, and the 36-year-old has carried his performance into the playoffs. He's 8-4 with a 1.91 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and one shutout in 12 starts. Should Fleury falter or sustain an injury, the Vegas backup is Robin Lehner, a Vezina finalist in 2018-19 who started over Fleury in the playoffs last season.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: Price, who won the Vezina in 2015 and was a finalist in 2017, has been right there with Fleury in the playoffs, if not better. He's 8-3 with a 1.97 GAA, .935 save percentage and one shutout.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]X FACTORS:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Golden Knights: Alex Tuch is always an easy choice as an X-factor for Vegas. How many teams have a forward with his size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), speed and skill on the third line? A matchup nightmare, he's tied for third on the Golden Knights with four goals and tied for sixth with seven points.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: Alex Tuch is always an easy choice as an X-factor for Vegas. How many teams have a forward with his size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), speed and skill on the third line? A matchup nightmare, he's tied for third on the Golden Knights with four goals and tied for sixth with seven points.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]WILL WIN IF:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Golden Knights: They come in waves, smother Montreal defensively by pressuring the puck in all three zones, sustain possession with a strong forecheck and get inside in the offensive zone. They cannot just outshoot the Canadiens and expect to win. They must crack Price.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: They keep the Golden Knights to the outside, let Price work his magic and use their offensive depth to give him enough goal support.[/td] [/tr] [/table] More: https://www.nhl.com/news/vegas-golden-knights-montreal-canadiens-series-preview/c-325311384?tid=325298762 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooksBurner Posted June 12, 2021 Share Posted June 12, 2021 Vegas in 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sod16 Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Canadiens outplay Vegas in one game and Price steals one game. Vegas 4-2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 The Knights that are Golden in five games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Vegas in 6...Price wins 2 games on sheer will and determination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 Habs looked totally overmatched. Price mays till steal a game or 2 but doesn't look good for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 The Canadiens were competitive in Game 1, but the Golden Knights had an extra jump to their game. Sent from my SM-S367VL using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Habs looked totally overmatched. Price may still steal a game or 2 but doesn't look good for them. Absolutely, Bugg! I think the Habs have gone about as far as they're gonna go. If Vegas puts it in Overdrive, it's "Au revoir!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatrosss Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Whats up with Petry’s eyes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirtyONE Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Ryan Reaves is just a friggin' beast out there. Vegas's 3rd and 4th line are so fun to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddious Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 Whats up with Petry’s eyes? Clearly he made a pact with the devil to help montreal win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatrosss Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 little too much ganja before the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Whoops. Also gotta wonder how this affects any close contacts going into tonight's game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 The fuck Fleury...just gifted the tying goal to MTL in the dying minutes of regulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Omg I feel.so.bad for him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 I.still can't believe it ouch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddynyc Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Terrible loss for Vegas completely outshot Montreal Sent from my iPhone using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Complete domination by Vegas tonight. Fleury's flub costs them the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 That is their Matteau moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sod16 Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Nightmare scenario: Montreal with another another upset and Islanders come back to win their series. Bite my tongue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 I wouldn't trust Fleury to wash my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4EverRangerFrank Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 LGMTL! Original 6 for the Cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddious Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Pierre is such a jinx http://bleacherreport.com/post/nhl/1efcd711-8684-4845-bcb9-43b8cd1701ea Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Heart & determination won out over so-called " skill " & less determination. Flub by Fleury just another example of losing your focus when the game is seemingly in hand. I'm happy that an original 6 team is vying for a chance to play for the cup. Hopefully, it will happen & the beloved Isles will be their opponent. The NYR would do well to watch these 2 series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Fuckin' Habs!! Making me a believer! Good God!! I don't even recognize this team in the playoffs! Good for them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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