Montreal Canadiens predictions and key ideas ahead of Game 6

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TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 19: Philadelphia Flyers Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The Montreal Canadiens were one of two to escape elimination, but the uphill battle continues as Game 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers is another must-win.

August 19th was dubbed elimination day in the NHL. Of the four games being played, three of them had the potential to see a team be taken out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and removed from the bubbles. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Arizona Coyotes couldn’t fend off their opponents, but the Montreal Canadiens did in a fiery battle with the Philadelphia Flyers.

It didn’t look all positive the whole time. The Habs put themselves down on the power play and managed to fight back with quick responses to games. Unfortunately, the game did come with it’s dark points, including Jesperi Kotkaniemi being taken out of the game via boarding major and game misconduct while Brendan Gallagher suffered from a broken jaw.

To make matters all the more interesting, the hate between the two clubs is at an all-time high. A brawl broke out after Phillip Danault got the empty-net goal for his first of the playoffs. Sean Couturier took a run at Artturi Lehkonen, and a huddle formed ending with Jakub Voracek jumping on Shea Weber while Joel Farabee and Danault bonded over their two team’s fighting.

With Gallagher out for Game 6 and Matt Niskanen serving a one-game suspension for his crosscheck, emotions are going to be as high as ever for both teams.

So what do we expect to come out of this Game 6? Will the Montreal Canadiens ride the momentum wave that they were able to create in Game 5? Will it mimic the previous two games where the team was shutout in back-to-back games by Carter Hart?

We all had some thoughts and predictions on it.

TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 19: Montreal Canadiens Philadelphia Flyers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Scott Cowan: If I were told in March that the Montreal Canadiens would be in a Game 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, I would’ve thought the world’s gone mad. The Habs were well out of a playoff spot by the time the NHL suspended play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, having endured an up and down season marred by two long losing streaks. However, we’re living in the present now, and the present situation is that the Habs have played some of their best hockey in these playoffs.

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After enduring a tough two-game stretch where they failed to put a puck past Flyers goalie Carter Hart, they potted four in Game 5 on Wednesday, and have shown that they have the ability to score at will. For me personally, I think it’d be in Montreal’s best interest to not allow Hart to get warm, peppering him with shots and driving to the net for rebounds. Brendan Gallagher (before his injury) did just that to get his first goal of the playoffs, and I think it will be the make or break aspect come Friday.

Emmanuel D: Game 5 was the only game between the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia play an end-to-end hockey game. Every other game had one of the two teams controlling the pace for the entirety of the game, so it is hard to determine what kind of game we’ll see on Friday. If the Canadiens can get on the board early, I think they have a legitimate chance at pushing for a Game 7, but with Gallagher out, that becomes a lot harder.

If one thing is for certain, the Canadiens have played some of their best hockey this season, and if they go out tomorrow, the issues that still need solving are a lot more clear, particularly the need for a scoring winger. I expect them to fight for their lives as they did in Game 5.

Teddy Elliot: It’s crunch time for the Habs right now in more ways than one. They will miss their spark plug in Brendan Gallagher and are left to decide who takes his spot. None of the options are good, which isn’t a knock on Jordan Weal, Dale Weise, or Ryan Poehling, but neither inspires confidence. Look for Coach Kirk playing it safe and going with either Weal or Weise.

If the Habs manage to get into the Flyers’ heads early, they have a chance of taking this series to Game 7. The Flyers, however, are going to come into this firing on all cylinders and are facing way more pressure to win this series.

Omar White: The Montreal Canadiens established themselves this season as a team that doesn’t quit regardless of the circumstances. If they lose, they’re going to fall trying to ensure it’s not the easiest win you’ve ever had. Take that quality and bring it to a playoff atmosphere, and it’s cranked up to the tenth degree.

As always, the game is going to come down to how many big saves Price can make. The Flyers have played their best hockey when they can get a first-period lead and then collapse into their defensive structure and wait for the opposition to make a mistake to which they capitalize on. The goaltending angle applies to the Philadelphia Flyers as well. If Carter Hart gives up those kinds of goals again, the Habs stand a chance of relentlessly pushing as the team’s resolve falters.

It’ll also come up to the young guys, and whether they can continue, they’re impressive play. Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi have taken another step in their development and importance to the organization. They drive the offence on the Habs, and the team will need another showing for them. I would also be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to Jonathan Drouin, who has quietly been stacking up points and doing his part.

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I’ve been having these conversations with others, and the Canadiens should expect another rough game. Aside from the Travis Sanheim incident and the post-game brawl, Suzuki patting Hart on the head could be a driving force. That sounds ridiculous, but the Flyers are a team who despises “cheeky” things being doing against them. And with the hate between them already burning hot, who knows what will happen.

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