Montreal Canadiens Should Make These Three Lineup Changes For Game 2
The Montreal Canadiens surprised the hockey world by winning Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They are gearing up for Game 2 tomorrow night.
The Montreal Canadiens pretty much shocked the entire hockey world when they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of their Best-of-5 play-in series. The Habs jumped out to a 2-0 lead before surrounding a pair of goals. Jeff Petry played the hero in overtime as hit wrist shot eluded Pens goaltender Matt Murray.
It was an unexpected victory, but there is still a long way for the Habs to go – even in a shortened series – before they can be comfortable. The Penguins have a deep and talented lineup that has plenty of star power. If the Habs sit back at all, it will spell trouble for them as the Penguins will attack in waves and overpower Carey Price.
Price was spectacular in the first game of this series. There is no question that he will be back in goal for the team in Game 2. But will the entire lineup stay the same?
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The Canadiens, like every team, are carrying an expanded roster right now. Teams were allowed to bring a handful of extra players with them as there will be very limited movement in and out of the bubble that each team currently resides in. Will any of the scratches from the first game be suiting up tomorrow night?
I think there should be a few lineup tweaks made. Even though the Habs won, they can’t get comfortable. Players playing well in a limited role need to be rewarded and players inside the top six that are struggling need to be demoted.
The first lineup change I would make is moving Max Domi up to the second line. Domi played centre in the first game but he was on the fourth line and doesn’t belong that far down the lineup. He should move inside the top six, but the Canadiens top three centres, Phillip Danault, Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi were all great in the win.
So, instead of keeping Domi at centre, move him to left wing on the second line with Suzuki and Joel Armia. This is a dangerous offensive trio behind the superb two-way line of Tomas Tatar, Danault and Brendan Gallagher.
This would also push Jonathan Drouin out of that spot, and force him to the third line with Kotkaniemi and Paul Byron. Again, that is a fast, skilled, offensive line. Not a bad trio for the third line of the 24th best team still standing.
The second lineup move I would make would be scratching Dale Weise in favour of Jake Evans. This is partly because I just moved Domi from centre to wing and need someone to play fourth line centre. It is also partially because Weise has not impressed since he scored an overtime goal for the Canadiens in 2016, and Evans looked good in his brief NHL tenure this season.
That would give the Habs a fourth line of Artturi Lehkonen, Jake Evans and Jordan Weal.
The third and final lineup move I would make would be putting Noah Juulsen into the lineup over Xavier Ouellet. Ouellet only played 12 NHL games this season, and we saw why in Game 1. He struggled in defensive zone coverage, turned the puck over too frequently and couldn’t move it up ice quickly enough.
He played the left side on the third pairing and this pushed Victor Mete to his off side. Scratching Ouellet and bringing in a right shot defender like Juulsen would allow Mete to play his natural side. This would help his transition game as he could pick up loose pucks in stride a little easier and immediately make a breakout pass.
The top four defenders would stay the same. Ben Chiarot with Shea Weber and Brett Kulak with Jeff Petry. I would just move Mete to the left side and make room for Juulsen. I would completely understand Cale Fleury slotting in there as well, but Juulsen has more upside in the offensive zone. Though he has played sparingly in the past 20 months due to injury, everyone is adjusting to the pace of postseason play so now is the perfect time to get Juulsen back in the lineup.
Next. Price did exactly what the Pens were afraid of. dark
Even though the team found a way to win Game 1, it doesn’t mean everything was perfect. A few lineup tweaks can make the team even better prepared for Game 2. You know the Penguins will be flying as they try to avoid a 2-0 series deficit in a Best-of-5 series. The Canadiens need to be ready for that and having Evans and Juulsen in the lineup over Weise and Ouellet would be the best way to do that.