NHL Playoffs: The Canadiens are on the cusp of a Stanley Cup final after another win in Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada - The Montreal Canadiens are now up three games to two, as they get another win on the road over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup semifinals.
The Canadiens won 4-1 and are one victory away from appearing in their first Stanley Cup final since they won it all in 1993. Montreal has the opportunity to close things out back at home in game six on Thursday.
Carey Price (33) was yet again the best thing on the ice for the Habs as he stopped 26 out of 27 shots, to lead his team to the series advantage. Price was dominant in net, riding a potential shutout until Vegas finally got on the board in the third period, thanks to a goal by Max Pacioretty. Apart from that goal, Montreal’s netminder was there to keep the Knights from cashing in on any momentum they might’ve had.
Once again, Montreal stuck to their physical game to body check often and used their poke-check to disrupt most of Vegas’ offensive pushes into their defensive zone. They laid their bodies out to help Price, blocking 18 shots, to Vegas’ eight in the game. All that physicality stymied the Knights as they gave away the puck 14 times in open ice to the Habs.
On the scoreboard, Eric Staal, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki each lit the lamp in the Canadiens’ win.
Both teams seem to be playing opposite of what they were expected to be in this postseason
When the playoffs started, the Golden Knights were amongst the few teams projected to at least play in the Stanley Cup finals. The Canadiens, meanwhile, just barely made it into the postseason.
But then they knocked off one of the cup favorites, the Maple Leafs, in the first round and just keep surprising everyone. Montreal is now on the verge of punching their ticket to the finals.
The Canadiens can clinch the series in Game 6 on Thursday, from Montreal.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Icon SMI