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Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators Pre-Game 3 Hype

ByMat Germain|

Apr 17, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) gives away a puck as he is name first star after an overtime period against Ottawa Senators in game two of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators Game 3 Hype

In mere hours we will be watching the puck drop and lots has happened this afternoon which we should all get caught up on to get into game mode. Here are our observations, links to others, and what I’m going to be looking for in Game 3 of this great series.

Observations: Ottawa Senators

Jan 29, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators head coach

Dave Cameron

reacts following an empty net goal scored by the Dallas Stars in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Stars defeated the Senators 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Class. That’s what we all witnessed in Game 2. I’m not sure what Dave Cameron was told after the press conference following Game 1, but his team definitely played a clean, skilled, and intense game in Game 2. We tip our hat to him and his club, because it could have been an ugly game and series.

Now that Game 2 is in the books and turned out the way it did, everyone seems to be forgetting the animosity. Welcome Chris Neil to the ice, and there you go, the animosity is back in the spotlight. Dave Cameron giveth, and he taketh away.

Every goalie loves coming back into a game in the middle of an intense series, right? That’s what they all dream about. Not at all, and that’s what Craig Anderson is facing as he tries to become a rock for his team. If anything, I expect Andrew Hammond to be back in net by the 3rd period or Game 4. Craig Anderson is not the answer for the Senators.

Just like his comments were out of line after Game 1 because it restricted how his club could react, a rookie coach move, so is the panic move of going with Anderson and Neil in the lineup. Experience helps, yes, but neither is sharp and it’s going to be tough for them to get up-to-speed, never mind have the intended impact. His moves remind me of a cop trying to direct traffic, and I doubt they’ll work out. If I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to congratulate him for having the gumption to make these moves.

Observations: Montreal Canadiens

Apr 17, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman

Alexei Emelin

(74) falls on Ottawa Senators right wing

Curtis Lazar

(27) during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, the Canadiens have to be concentrated on staying focused and sharp. There’s no reason to believe that the Senators can’t come back from a 2-0 start to the series. Game 3 is usually the most important game of the series, a tone setter, and this one is no different.

The real story for Montreal is that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. The lineup remains the same, guys like P.A. Parenteau are getting healthier while on the sidelines, and the team is playing so well overall that there’s no need to change anything. If anything, let lines like Pacioretty, Desharnais, and Smith-Pelly’s get comfortable playing together.

So far, we’ve have the fourth line step up in Game 1, Max Pacioretty, P.K. Subban, and Alex Galchenyuk step up in Game 2, and Alexei Emelin being a rock throughout. So who are going to be the stars of Game 3? That’s the question I’ll answer further on.

Other Stories and Links

Mar 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) guards the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

With the Hamilton Bulldogs out of the playoffs, the Habs called up Mike Condon, Daniel Carr, Charles Hudon, Christian Thomas, Darren Dietz, and Brett Lernout. Quite honestly, the only one I can see having an impact would be Lernout if the Habs needed some help on the blue line due to injury;

  • It’s likely that Jarred Tinordi didn’t get called up because of a hand injury he’s been dealing with
  • EOTP’s Matt Drake has a preview agreeing with our assessment of Smith-Pelly as a breakout candidate
  • The Sens should already be concentrating on the trade market according to SenShots, suggestion that the Game 3 starter – Craig Anderson – should be dealt to Edmonton for offensive help;
  • They also have a preview of Game 3 here, which they rightfully identify as a must win;
  • Dave Cameron called Carey Price the best goaltender in the world in a recent interview. You have to believe that won’t give his forwards a looser grip on the sticks as they head into Game 3;
  • Want to know more about Game 3 and its implications? Lissa Albert has it covered with her latest: Canadiens Face Anderson in Game 3: What Does It Mean?

    • The HYPE: Things I’m Looking For Tonight

    Here are the guys I expect to see do well tonight, based solely on their break out potential and series performances thus far:

  • Brendan Gallagher: After seeing him flop some after getting knocked around in Game 1, I have to admit that I was a little worried. But he was everywhere, fiesty, and dangerous all of Game 2. I expect that to continue Game 3 with more scoreboard success;

    • Mar 12, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien behind Torrey Mitchell (17) and Devante Smith-Pelly (21)during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

    Devante Smith-Pelly: Playing on the first line as I’ve been hoping he would BEFORE the playoffs so they could all get used to it, he’s set to take off like a rocket. They’re not all going to be pretty goals, but do we care! Our boy Pelly is likeliest to be one of the 3 starts tonight, we can just feel it;

  • Andrei Markov: After an own goal everyone thought was going to hurt the Habs more than it did, Markov settled down and played solid hockey Game 2. With the focus being on P.K. Subban when they’re both on the ice, I expect Markov to have some great opportunities to put up big points;
  • Carey Price: If there’s a time for him to steal a game, this would be it. It would be as close as you can get to breaking the Sens backs, and I feel Price is set to shut things down tonight; and
  • Shots, Shots, Shots: No, not the bar kind. Other than Smith-Pelly on the first line, if there’s one think Michel Therrien and I agree on it’s that the Habs need to get as many pucks on net as possible. As Alex Galchenyuk showed us in Game 2, it’s not always the pretty shots that get through. I expect the Habs to pull away in shots on net tonight as they all see the benefits and will attempt to test Craig Anderson as much as possible.

    • Get your beers, wings, pops, chips and dips ready, because it’s GAME NIGHT baby, and we’re hyped and ready to go! Game 3 is going to be fun to watch, let’s hope it takes 1 game close to a sweep!

    Now a nice HYPE video to get in the mood. Enjoy!

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