Looking Ahead
The Montreal Canadiens were able to play a tight game against the Flyers, avoiding a blowout as many may have prematurely predicted, but their good game featured questionable gaffes that should not find their way into the remaining games if they want to get back into this.
Max Domi spent the entirety of play-in series on the fourth line had been relatively quiet up until this game when he showed new-found energy when being placed on a line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jonathan Drouin. Given Domi’s style of play and personality, many expect him to be the type of player to excel in the playoffs.
In his first post-season appearance, this would be the perfect time to take advantage of that. If Domi is back on the fourth line when the Canadiens play Game 2 against the wonder, you have to wonder if the coaching staff has lost faith in him or is simply is still trying with an experiment that has yielded little results.
One aspect of the Canadiens’ game that should be taken into consideration before their next game is the third pairing of Victor Mete and Xavier Ouellet. Nothing was going their way tonight and almost put the team in comprising positions. A shakeup could be what this pairing needs if they do not improve, and if that is the case, we may see Cale Fleury play his first playoff game sometime soon.
The Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers will play Game 2 of their series on Friday at 3:00pm ET. It can be watched on Sportsnet, NBCSN and can also be heard on the radio at TSN690.