A Winning Habit
Fansided

Every aspect of the Montreal Canadiens that needed to respond, did

By Omar L

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 14: Associate Coach Kirk Muller (top left) of the Montreal Canadiens reacts against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 14, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Muller will fill in as Interim Head Coach for Claude Julien. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 14: Associate Coach Kirk Muller (top left) of the Montreal Canadiens reacts against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 14, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Muller will fill in as Interim Head Coach for Claude Julien. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 14: Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2) The legitimate changes

It hasn’t been that long since the Habs finally decided to give Nick Suzuki a legitimate look at being the number one centre. The line was dynamic and fun to watch despite it not getting the production. That changed in Game 2.

Another alternation fans wanted was a way to get Domi off the fourth line. It was frustrating to see Domi buzz at 5v5 without the supporting cast to back him up offensively, especially when Dale Weise was attached to his hip. Fortunately, the team made adjustments and that included scratching Weise while slotting in a now healthy Jake Evans at fourth-line center to bring Domi up to play on Kotkaniemi’s left-wing.

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Domi responded with a three-point performance. Now, only one of those points was on 5v5 while the other two were on the power play, but it’s clear he can produce with those who know how to put the puck in the net.

Sure this change comes at the expense of Armia coming out of the top-nine; however, those changes brought the Habs to their max, and I trust Muller will stick to them.

3) The Sauce

The bad luck was ripped from Tatar’s spirit as he got on the board twice. Both goals were elements of what made the 29-year-old so effective this season. He gets to the right area on his first tally after some solid 1v1 work by Brendan Gallagher while using a Flyers player as a screen on the second.

Tatar had donuts before Game 2, so hopefully, now that his new line is getting numbers, it continues for him.

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