Canadiens Face Anderson in Game 3: What Does It Mean?

CANADIENS Face Anderson in Game 3: What Does It Mean?

NHL has reported that the Ottawa Senators will play Craig Anderson in nets against the Montreal Canadiens this evening for Game 3. After having lost the first games to the Habs, Coach Dave Cameron has decided not to go with Andrew Hammond, who was responsible for helping the Sens get to playoffs this year.

What does this mean for the Canadiens? It can be an opportunity for the Habs to capitalize on scoring goals against a goalie who has not played since March 29th.

Anderson is a very talented goalie. It was he in nets, in 2013, who stopped the Canadiens in Round 1. That, however, was a different season, a different situation and a different mindset – for both teams.

In 2013, Carey Price struggled at the end of the season and into playoffs, sustaining an injury in the series against Ottawa. He is, however, not only healthy this year, he is arguably the best player in the NHL – goalie or otherwise.

In 2013, Anderson was also healthy, and had a save percentage of .911. This has been a very different year for him. Playing in only 35 games, he sustained a hand injury on January 21, and did not play again until March, where he only started in 4 games. In those games, his goals-against average was 3.42. Does this bode well for the Habs?

Carey Price has played 66 games this season. He has won 44 – setting a new franchise record. He has had 9 shutouts and has already helped his team to the first 2 wins of these playoffs. At the end of the regular season, his goals-against average was 1.96.

Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

No doubt, this will be a goalie duel – in his prime (which is key, as it stands today), Anderson is an excellent goalie. But it will be the rest of the team – on both sides of the ice – that will have to make the difference.

In 2013, the Habs had lost Lars Eller to a horrific hit by Eric Gryba; Eller’s blood stained the ice, he was stretchered off, and the Habs were clearly shaken by the incident. It hurt them in the end. As with Price, Eller is healthy and at the top of his game, making a huge difference for the team this season and post-season.

Ottawa hasn’t played badly at all. Both games this series have been decided by 1 goal. Both games were hard-fought battles for the puck and strong showings. In fact, Andrew Hammond wasn’t playing badly – he just could not win it for his team.

What this means for the Habs is that it’s time to truly unleash the offensive mode and pepper Anderson with goals. He has been out for essentially half the regular season, and has not seen playoff action for two years. The pressure will no doubt be immense for him: at home, with the series already two games in favor of his opponents. He knows he has to pull out a win for his team. He knows he’s up against a never-say-die team with an elite goaltender.

More from Editorials

• Montreal Canadiens: Senators Rebuild At Crisis Point As Kent Hughes Moves Forward
• Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin Continues Charity Work In Montreal After Leaving Habs
• Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Lineup Going To Be Must Watch
• Montreal Canadiens: Jesse Ylönen Contract Extension Analysis
• Montreal Canadiens: Top 31 Prospects – #31 Quentin Miller

Habs players all have to take their collective foot off the gas. In particular:

Max Pacioretty: In Game 2, his first back from injury, his first shot on net resulted in the first goal for the Canadiens and opened the floodgates on their eventual win. Watch for him to be relentless with his shots in Game 3.

Alex Galchenyuk: Hero of Game 2, he scored a beautiful overtime winner and I have a feeling that was what opened his confidence even further. I’m sure he will be taking those shots on Anderson to stump the Senators’ goalie.

P.K. Subban: He has been a powerhouse for the Habs, all season, and – so far – all post-season. His consistency is rock-solid. Watch for him to further silence his detractors with his lethal shots and lightning-fast skating to help his team prevail.

Brendan Gallagher: He has been yearning to score since playoffs began. He has come close often, both games, and is on the cusp of that elusive first goal. I believe he’ll see that tonight.

“The fact that they made changes to their lineup doesn’t change anything in terms of our preparation.” – M. Therrien

The Fourth Line: We’ve seen an incredible push from the 4th line: Torrey Mitchell, Brian Flynn and Brandon Prust are working well and generating goals. If they can keep up the magic they found in Game 1, the team will be in good shape.

Another note:

Senators announced that they are putting forward Chris Neil in for Game 3.  Should this be a concern, given his tough-guy demeanor and his thinly veiled threat against P.K. Subban following Game 1? Let’s take the words of Canadiens’ coach Michel Therrien:

This has been the attitude of the Montreal Canadiens – from players to coaching staff to management – from Day 1. Play their game, focus on the things they can control, and deal with the situations as they are so prepared to do.

No matter what happens, Game 3 is shaping up to be another One to Watch.

(In case you need visual reminding of the strength the Habs have exhibited these playoffs: here is Galchenyuk’s incredible overtime winner from Game 2)