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Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 2: Alex Killorn Out, Joel Armia Back

By Maria Bouabdo |
Jun 28, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) is knocked down by Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) in the third period of game one of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) is knocked down by Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) in the third period of game one of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning will face off tonight at 8 p.m. EST for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Luke Richardson said both Joel Armia and Jake Evans are game-time decisions, but Armia was skating with the fourth line this morning while Evans was wearing a no-contact jersey, so I’m expecting to see Armia back in his usual spot with Eric Staal and Corey Perry.

For the Lightning, it was announced that Alex Killorn will be out due to an undisclosed injury, and it’s expected to see Tyler Johnson in his spot, Ross Colton move from fourth-line right wing to center and Mathieu Joseph come in at Colton’s right.

Lineups

The projected lineup for the Canadiens is:

Toffoli – Suzuki – Caufield
Lehkonen – Danault – Gallagher
Byron – Kotkaniemi – Anderson
Armia – Staal – Perry

Chiarot – Weber
Edmundson – Petry
Gustafsson – Merrill

Price

And here’s the projected lineup for the Lightning:

Palat – Point – Kucherov
Johnson – Cirelli – Stamkos
Goodrow – Gourde – Coleman
Maroon – Colton – Joseph

Hedman – Rutta
McDonagh – Cernak
Sergachev – Savard

Vasilevskiy

Canadiens Key Players

Brendan Gallagher will be a key player tonight, just like he always is, but the difference tonight will be because of the tension and takedown by Mikhail Sergachev. The Canadiens’ warrior will be ready to battle and help his team win, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him score a goal.

Just like he did for Game 1, Josh Anderson will come up big. It was clear that his physicality was irritating some of the Lightning, and I don’t expect him to stop, whether that’s laying hits, rushing down the ice to try to score or negate icings. I’m sure he and Pat Maroon will continue their battles.

Another key part of tonight’s game will be the top defensive pair of Shea Weber and Ben Chiarot. Weber was on a breakaway last game for the second time this postseason (the first time was against the Winnipeg Jets). He has been playing his best hockey in years, and I expect nothing less tonight.

On the other hand, Chiarot scored the lone goal for the Canadiens in Game 1, but then also tried blocking a shot that went in. While that was just a fluke, I expect him to be on top of his game tonight, blocking shots and clearing the front of the net, like he usually does.

Next. Breaking Down Game 1 Line By Line. dark

The Canadiens will be looking to head back home with a split on the road, so tonight’s game will be that much more important for them.

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