Montreal Canadiens Drive for 25: The 10 Keys To Winning Round 2

Montreal Canadiens Drive for 25: The 10 Keys To Winning Round 2

Now that we know the Montreal Canadiens are facing the Tampa Bay Lightning, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at what needs to happen for he Habs to be successful in getting through the second round. The 10 keys to winning round 2 begin where everyone expects it to end as well, in net.

Key #1 to Winning Round 2

Carey Price has to be Carey Price.

Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie

stretches prior to the start of the second period against the Ottawa Senators in game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. The Canadiens won 1-0 and take the series 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

This goes without saying. The Montreal Canadiens chances of winning the Stanley Cup begin and end with Price. He knows it. The Habs know it. Fans know it. And you know that the Tampa Bay Lightning know it. As the NHL found out in 2014-15, there isn’t a crack to be found in his game this season. If you’re going to beat Carey Price, you’ve got to earn it. He’s clearly focuses on attaining his goal of winning the Stanley Cup, and when someone who good is that focused and talented, you know the Lightning is going to have to play outstanding hockey to defeat him.

Some fans are boldly claiming that the Lightning will sweep the Habs. To actually claim a single team in the NHL this season can walk over Carey Price for 4 games is one bold claim. Particularly when you consider how strong the Habs D is and the fact that they have a Norris Trophy winner and nominee playing 26 to 33 minutes per game.

In my opinion, there’s no doubt that Carey Price will continue to be Carey Price. The only doubt we have is exactly how the team in front of him will play. If they can slow down the forwards of the Lightning and be physical enough to prevent them from attaining too much space in their zone, Carey Price should see most of the pucks coming his way.

When you consider the fact that his stats from the regular season are almost identical to the first series vs the Ottawa Senators, there’s no reason to think that won’t continue vs the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Key #2 to Winning Round 2

All lines need to contribute.

Apr 24, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward

(22) carries the puck into the Ottawa Senators zone during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Whether we’re talking about the top line or the fourth line, the Habs need scoring from anyone and everyone to make it through the second round. Goals are expected to be at a premium in this series. Both teams play strong defensive games, and both teams have talented goaltenders.

For the Habs, the comfort lies in the fact that all lines did contribute in the last series. The first win went to the fourth line. Another game was single-handedly scored by Dale Weise and the third line. And the final win of the series belonged to the top line’s goal. It seems that in each win, one line took the lead to make things happen.

The Lightning have strong lines which will test the Habs. But I believe that if the third and fourth lines continue to play with energy and compete every shift, they’ll have no trouble creating chances. They look comfortable playing with one another, and the extra rest they received after beating the Sens should give them the legs they need to gain an edge, particularly for someone like Dale Weise who was nursing an injury during the last round.

We’ll have to wait and see whether P.A. Parenteau will be in the lineup, or whether Brian Flynn will get the call. The Habs do have other options, but overall, I do lean towards his keeping the team as it was for Game 6. The top line looked good together, and the 2nd line looked strong most of the game. There doesn’t seem to be a need for changes, but the choice will depend on the matchup and priority for Michel Therrien.

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