The first Stanley Cup final Game in Canada since 2011 will see the Canadiens looking for a way to strike back against the Lightning. Here are the three keys to the game.
No Lineup changes In Game 3 For Montreal
Coming into Game 3 and even with a much better start in Game 2, Montreal still has only scored twice during the Cup Final. The Canadiens offense has dried up even, and while this team has found a way to get more shots on net, they haven't been all too dangerous. The only Canadiens to score in this series so far have been Ben Chiarot and Nick Suzuki.
Dominique Ducharme returns to the Canadiens bench after testing positive for COVID-19 during Montreal's semifinal series against Vegas during the semifinal series. Ducharme will not make any changes to a roster that is still trying to solve Andrei Vaslivesky.
If the same mix once again struggles to avoid an 0-3 hole, you do have to wonder if we see something happen in Game 4.
Cleaning Up The Errors
Two of Tampa Bay's goals in Game 2 came in situations that should have been avoided. Blake Coleman's brilliant one-handed effort to beat Carey Price with 0.3 seconds left in the second period was sparked by the Habs turning the puck over in the neutral zone and the backbreaking 3-1 goal came from another turnover behind the net of Carey Price.
The Lightning are too good of a team to give them an opening to get back into a game. They've proven they'll take advantage of even the smallest opportunity no matter who they're facing. Montreal's proven before they're a team that's able to correct mistakes before and not get too down after mistakes. It will be interesting to see how they respond at home.
Can Tampa's Offense Keep It Going In Montreal
We've spoken often about how dangerous Tampa with multiple offensive weapons and they've shown it in these two games so far. Seven members of the Lightning have scored in this series and at five on five they've dominated leading the tally at even strength in goals at 7-1. Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov have also combined for six points in the series.
Montreal's inability so far when it comes to containing Tampa for a full 60 minutes has put them in a precarious situation.
Jon Cooper's group has the ability to put the Canadiens on their heels and put Montreal in a hole early at the Bell Centre that will only have 3,500 fans but will sound like there's quite a bit more.
