The Montreal Canadiens’ farm team, the Laval Rocket, flew to Charlotte on Saturday for Game three of their Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers’ farm team, the Charlotte Checkers. The game is set for 4:00 PM on Sunday afternoon, and Pascal Vincent’s men desperately need a win. It'll be a tall order, however, since they’ll be missing two key players.
Laurent Dauphin, who was rocked by a big hit on Thursday night, and William Trudeau didn’t even travel with the team, which doesn’t bode well for their availability in the other games scheduled in Charlotte.
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Through two games, the Rocket has been outscored 10-3 and will need to do much better if it wants to claw its way back into the series. Dauphin’s absence will hurt; he’s the team’s third-best scorer with nine points in 11 games, but Vincent does have options.
Luke Tuch hasn’t played the first two games of the Conference Final, but he has looked good in the six contests he took part in this postseason. Furthermore, he’s a big body and can play a physical game, which is perfect when facing the Checkers. Filip Mesar hasn’t played a single game in the postseason so far, but it’s hard to see him being brought in, given his diminutive size and style of play.
All eyes will be on the Rocket’s net for that game. Against all odds, Vincent decided to start Cayden Primeau for a second game in a row, and in a back-to-back no less. However, the strategy backfired, and after he gave up four goals, Jacob Fowler was sent in relief, allowing a single goal on 12 shots.
Laval isn’t on the verge of elimination yet, but they are close to being in that dire situation. Another defeat would be a crushing blow. Does Vincent return to his veteran, or does he go with the rookie many believe will soon become the number one goaltender in Montreal? A big decision ahead of a big game for the bench boss.
Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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