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Montreal Canadiens Looking for a Two-Game Lead Tonight Against Toronto

By Elias Laradi

May 20, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot (8) and forward Jake Evans (71) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) during a scrum after a play during the second period of game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot (8) and forward Jake Evans (71) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) during a scrum after a play during the second period of game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Montreal Canadiens will face the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 tonight at Scotiabank Arena with a chance to go back home with a 2-0 series lead. The Canadiens managed to pull off a 2-1 win in Game 1 thanks to the late heroics of Paul Byron scoring the game-winner on a breakaway from the seat of his pants.

Carey Price was back to his normal self and, in fact, made the save of the game, which was the turning point. He made an incredible save on a two-on-one with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, as he slid across the crease and managed to make the pad save.

It was a tight solid first game, as expected but it will be marred by the unfortunate injury of John Tavares, who was stretchered off the ice.

He spent the night in the hospital and Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas confirmed he had suffered a concussion and a knee injury and will be out indefinitely.

Overall, the Canadiens did a good job of shutting down the Matthews-Marner line and will need to keep it going.

They also took too many penalties but were luckily able to kill them off. However, the Leafs’ powerplay has been looking good so the Canadiens will have to be careful to not give them any more chances.

However, it wasn’t all good news for the Habs, who ended up losing Jake Evans late in the second period. Head Coach Dominique Ducharme confirmed earlier today that Jesperi Kotkaniemi will be taking Evans’ spot in the lineup tonight.

Here is the projected lineup for the Montreal Canadiens, if the only change is Kotkaniemi coming in for Evans:

Tatar-Danault-Gallagher
Toffoli-Suzuki-Armia
Byron-Kotkaniemi-Lehkonen
Perry-Staal-Anderson

Edmundson-Petry
Kulak-Chiarot
Merrill-Weber

Price
Allen

dark. Next. A Surprising First Playoff Round in All Divisions

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST and will be available in English on CBC, Sportsnet, and CNBC. It will also be available in French on TVA Sports. On the radio, TSN 690 Montreal will carry the English feed while 98.5FM will cover the French feed.

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