Phil Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 (C3) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (N4) Montreal Canadiens Game 1: Mon, June 28, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning Game 2: Wed, June 30, 8 p.m. Canadiens at Lightning Game 3: Fri, July 2, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens Game 4: Mon, July 5, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens Game 5: Wed, July 7, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning* Game 6: Fri, July 9, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens* Game 7: Sun, July 11, 7 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning* * — If necessary [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]The Tampa Bay Lightning will try to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, and the Montreal Canadiens will seek to add to their record by winning their 24th championship since entering the NHL in 1917, when they meet in the Stanley Cup Final, beginning Monday. After winning its second championship last season, Tampa Bay can become the ninth team to win the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons, and the first since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. The Lightning needed a 1-0 win in Game 7 against New York in the Stanley Cup Semifinals to return to the Cup Final. "There's a reason why, and they're back in the Final this year," Canadiens coach Dominque Ducharme said Saturday. "So it's going to be a tough challenge for us, that's for sure. But any Final is supposed to be that way and we'll be ready to go in Game 1."[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]GAME BREAKERS:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Lightning: Brayden Point scored a goal in nine straight playoff games before his streak ended in Game 7 against the Islanders, leaving the center one short of the NHL record set by Reggie Leach with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1976. Point leads the playoffs with 14 goals in 18 games, matching his leading total in 23 games from last postseason.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: Cole Caufield was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the playoffs, but the rookie forward has gradually established himself as one of their most dynamic offensive threats with his skating and shot. The 20-year-old led Montreal with four goals and tied linemate Nick Suzuki for its lead with five points against Vegas.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]GOALTENDING:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Lightning: Andrei Vasilevskiy is 12-6 with a 1.99 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and four shutouts and has allowed two goals or fewer in 11 of his 18 starts. Voted a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie in the NHL for a fourth straight season (he won it in 2018-19), Vasilevskiy was 31-10-1 with a 2.21 GAA, .925 save percentage and five shutouts during the regular season.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: Carey Price, who won the Vezina in 2014-15 and was a finalist in 2016-17, has nearly matched Vasilevskiy in the playoffs, going 12-5 with a 2.02 GAA, .934 save percentage and one shutout in 17 games. Over the past two postseasons, he is 17-10 with a 1.93 GAA, .934 save percentage and three shutouts. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]X FACTORS:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Lightning: Anthony Cirelli is often overshadowed by bigger-name forwards Point, Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, but the second-line center has a knack for coming through in big moments. Cirelli has scored 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 18 playoff games, including his assist on Yanni Gourde's game-winning, shorthanded goal in Game 7 against New York. [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: Corey Perry, who won the Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, has been a valuable veteran presence throughout the playoffs, scoring nine points (three goals, six assists) in 17 games. Perry scored three goals for the Dallas Stars in the Cup Final against Tampa Bay last season, including the overtime winner in Game 5. His five playoff overtime goals are tied for third in NHL history behind Maurice Richard (six) and Joe Sakic (eight).[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table=width: 650, align: center] [tr] [td]WILL WIN IF:[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Lightning: They continue to play with the patience and defensive commitment they had against the Islanders. The Canadiens play a similar structure defensively to the Islanders, and Price is at the top of his game, so the Lightning should expect another tight-checking series with several one-goal games.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Canadiens: Price matches Vasilevskiy's play, the penalty kill stays hot, and they continue to get scoring throughout their lineup. Eleven players have scored at least two goals for Montreal.[/td] [/tr] [/table] More: https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-montreal-canadiens-stanley-cup-final-preview/c-325488018?tid=325479796 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Rangers in 6. Whoops, a season too early Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsley Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Tampa in 5 Sent from my iPhone using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooksBurner Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Rangers in 6. Whoops, a season too early 27 seasons too early Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieNextel305 Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Tampa in 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJWantsTheCup Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Tampa in 6 Sent from my iPhone using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatrosss Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Tampa in 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooksBurner Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Habs in 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4EverRangerFrank Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Habs in 7 Rep this post. *thumbs* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 I'm really feeling Montreal or Tampa Bay could win this in four, five, six or seven games. I'm going to go with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddious Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Lightning in 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 It will either be Bolts in 6 or Habs in 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 I really would love to see the Habs put this one away! Carey Price has been absolutely fucking outrageous in the playoffs and I would like nothing more than to see him carry that chalice! Habs in 7!!! ...and I hope they let their fans into Bell Centre! They haven't been in a cup final since '93 for fuck sake!! Let them watch their team! :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 I really would love to see the Habs put this one away! Carey Price has been absolutely fucking outrageous in the playoffs and I would like nothing more than to see him carry that chalice! Habs in 7!!! ...and I hope they let their fans into Bell Centre! They haven't been in a cup final since '93 for fuck sake!! Let them watch their team! :cheers: Absolutely, it's been 28 years of stored-up emotions for the Canadiens and their fans. You probably saw the video of the fans outside going nuts when Lehkonen scored the semifinal-clinching goal in Game 6. Bring more fans into "Le Centre Bell!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddynyc Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Bolts in 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 The first minutes of this series are like the first round of a boxing match: both teams trying to feel each other out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Heaven Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 2-0 Bolts mid-2nd period. Probably safe to turn the game off and go to bed now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Montreal just completely overmatched in G1. They may have run out of gas here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Yeah, it really looked like men against boys out there last night most of the time, even though it was a one-goal game going into the third period. Tampa just took it to them then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Maybe the Habs take game 2 and get back to Montreal 1-1.... Then again, that 3rd period wasn't exactly "inspiring". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Absolutely, it's been 28 years of stored-up emotions for the Canadiens and their fans. You probably saw the video of the fans outside going nuts when Lehkonen scored the semifinal-clinching goal in Game 6. Bring more fans into "Le Centre Bell!" Sounds like a good turnout for Vancouver-style riots when their Cinderella run eventually comes to an end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieNextel305 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 This is just an unfair fight IMO. No disrespect whatsoever to the Habs, but that was one of the most mismatched Stanley Cup Final games I’ve seen in recent memory. Tampa’s depth is just ridiculous. Their ability to come at teams in waves is scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddynyc Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 This is just an unfair fight IMO. No disrespect whatsoever to the Habs, but that was one of the most mismatched Stanley Cup Final games I’ve seen in recent memory. Tampa’s depth is just ridiculous. Their ability to come at teams in waves is scary. Lets see what happens in game 2 and see if the Habs can make any adjustments, but boy did Tampa look good last night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Tampa in 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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