Dolphins QB Malik Willis throws embarrassing first pitch at Marlins game: 'I slipped'
Dolphins QB Malik Willis embarrasses himself with first pitch at Marlins game
The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning are set for a decisive Game 7, with all previous games in the series being closely contested. Both teams have yet to have a playoff game decided by two goals.
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning have yet to play a playoff game decided by two goals.
Most contests have gone to overtime, a testament to how evenly matched the Habs and Bolts have been throughout the series.
While the teams prepare for their decisive Game 7 on Sunday, every other playoff series has already been decided. The Eastern Conference semifinals between the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers begin Saturday night.
But the mere fact that the Canadiens have managed to push the series to seven games is quite the feat when we consider theyâve received no 5v5 contributions from their first line.
And thatâs not an exaggeration.
Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky have not managed score a single goal at 5v5, a considerable drag on a team that usually counts on their top trio to drive the offensive charge.
Friday night was probably the first lineâs best from a statistical standpoint. Head coach Martin St-Louis made a few lineup modifications, which means Slafkovsky wasnât always used with Suzuki and Caufield, but in their 10 minutes of ice time at 5v5, the controlled 58% of the shots and 50% of the high-quality scoring chances.
Game 7 is crucial as it will determine which team advances in the playoffs, with both teams having had closely contested matches throughout the series.
The Canadiens have performed well, with every game in the series going to overtime, indicating a highly competitive matchup.
The Eastern Conference semifinals between the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers begin on Saturday night.
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However, at this point in the series, the process needs to make way for results.
If the Canadiens lose on Sunday, and the first line fails to make an impact at 5v5, very few will care that they improved their underlying numbers throughout the series. It would be considered a failure of a season for many fans and analysts, even though you could argue that the Canadiens are well ahead of their long-term rebuild plans.
Fair or not, fans want to see constant improvements, and theyâd be much quicker to forget Suzukiâs 100 point season, or Caufieldâs 50-goal campaign, if the team fails to make more noise in the playoffs.
Such is life for the highest paid players in the lineup.
The good news for the Canadiens is that they tend to be at their best with their backs against the wall.
A certain level of adversity has produced fantastic results for the youngest team in the league. While itâs not an ideal approach, itâs difficult to downplay the outcomes.
If the players who usually provide secondary and tertiary scoring respond to the adversity, the Canadiens will be in good shape.
If their top line responds strongly, Montreal will be very difficult to beat.
All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.
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