Canadiens Playoff Preview: Lightning Add Grit For Game Two

Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Two on Tuesday, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

The Habs emerged victorious from the first game of the series between these two talented teams, with young star Juraj Slafkovsky serving as the hero. Not only did he score three goals, all three of which took place during the powerplay, he scored the game-winning goal in overtime, shortly after head coach Martin St-Louis called a time-out to maximize the potential impact of the powerplay.

Beyond Slafkovsky, it should also be noted that the Canadiens held a significant edge in high-danger scoring chances at 5v5, to the tune of 8-1.

Special teams will always play a big part in a short playoff series, and ideally the Habs would improve their shot share, but if they maintain an 88% control of the high-quality scoring chances throughout the rest of the games, they’ll be in great shape.

Lineup Changes

The Habs aren’t expected to make any lineup changes, but the same cannot be said about the Lightning.

Defenceman Charle-Edouard D’Astous, who goes out of his way to play a particularly physical brand of hockey any time he faces the Habs, is unavailable due to a clean hit that knocked him out of Game One. Consequently, Declan Carlile will be re-inserted into the lineup.

Carlile was the player who chased down Josh Anderson in a previous match up, before Anderson proceeded to deliver a five-piece combination to his overly eager opponent.