The Montreal Canadiens are in Tampa to complete the back-to-back, and all signs point to a complete domination at the hands of the Lightning.
It’s pretty unfair to walk into this game with the mindset that the Montreal Canadiens will lose. However, based on what we’ve seen of the team and what the Tampa Bay Lightning is, you can’t help but think it. The Lightning is a team filled to the brim with talent on forward, defence and in net. They are without question, this year’s favourite to win the Stanley Cup.
The Habs, however, are a team who despite what management says, is trying to establish a new identity. Injuries are playing a role into how poorly their playing, but poor defensive coverage and underperformances of players on the team meant to contribute has been their worst enemy.
That’s the more practical reason. On the surface, Montreal will be on the second half of a back-to-back while this will be Tampa’s first game since shutting out the Minnesota Wild 3-0 last Saturday.
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I hate to make the Lightning out to be some kind of monster, but the Habs have not faced any team like them this season. However, pulling off a win in a game where everyone expects you to lose would be phenomenal so let’s keep our fingers crossed.
For now, start your day off with these.
Morning Links
Is Claude Julien a Repeat of the Michel Therrien Era?
It’s a little too early to have these kinds of comparisons as Julien hasn’t even been coach of the Habs for a year yet. However, there are some similarities between the two bench bosses.
Stu Cowan: Canadiens are lucky to be a .500 team with lack of scoring
Unfortunately, after last night’s loss, they aren’t, but it’s still interesting that Montreal has been able to stay in it for some time (relatively speaking) without finding the back of the net too often.
Expansion casualties part lll: The league as we now know it
In response to another expansion this time possibly to Seattle, Habs Eyes on the Price continues their look on what Expansion Drafts have done to teams over the years.