Is It Time For A Few Lineup Changes For The Canadiens?

Is It Time For A Few Lineup Changes For The Canadiens?

In the Montreal Canadiens’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was after Game 4 that Martin St-Louis elected to make some significant changes to his lineup, right after the Bolts had tied up the series. Fast forward two weeks, and the Habs are in the same position, but this time against the Buffalo Sabres. Should we expect the coach to react in the same way? That seems unlikely.

While the series is tied at this stage, the Canadiens have been the better team for most of the four games played, and it doesn’t feel like changes are needed, at least not for the same reason. Against Tampa, the coach called on Brendan Gallagher to provide a much-needed spark, but it’s unlikely that he would turn to the veteran this time around. With all due respect to the winger, he doesn’t have the speed to keep up with the pace of play in this duel.

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It’s hard to look at the ice time in the last game as a guide to know who could come out of the lineup. There were so many penalties that many players saw their ice time melt like snow in the sun. saw less than seven minutes of action, was on the ice for less than nine minutes, and was on the ice for less than 10. For the latter two, it is certainly not because the coach is unhappy with their play.