The Montreal Canadiens will need a win on Friday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes to keep their season going. They are entering the game down 3-1 in the series after losing three straight.
However, they have been here before, as they have already won two road elimination games in these playoffs alone, with Game 7 wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres. They also already have a win in Carolina in this series.
As bad as the last three games have been, there is certainly a world where they can turn things around and win Game 5. For that to happen, though, these are four players who are going to need to deliver game-changing performances.
Nick Suzuki
For the Montreal Canadiens, it has to start with their captain, Nick Suzuki, and he must lead by example on the ice. There shouldn't be much of a surprise, but when Suzuki is scoring and setting up teammates, the Canadiens have been more successful. In the Canadiens' nine playoff wins, Suzuki has 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists), but in their nine losses, he has only three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
After Game 4, Suzuki wasn't overly concerned with the lack of shots. However, when they do get those rare chances, they have to convert. It will really be up to the captain to either convert them himself or set up his teammates with great chances.
Alex Newhook
In the series against the Sabres, Alex Newhook was almost unstoppable with six goals in seven games, but through the first four games against the Hurricanes, he is still searching for that first goal.
One stark contrast between the two series is just the volume of shots, as Newhook averaged over three shots on goal per game. However, through the first four games against Carolina is averaging less than one.
The Canadiens' scoring problem is bigger than one player, but Alex Newhook is one who can make a huge difference in this game.
Juraj Slafkovsky
For most of this series, the Canadiens' power play has been almost non-existent as they have only one goal on eight power play chances. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Canadiens have generated only five scoring chances and two high-danger chances when they have the man advantage.
One player in particular who has been excellent on the power play at times in these playoffs has been Juraj Slafkovsky. He is currently leading the team with four power play goals, including three in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
If the Canadiens continue to struggle to generate scoring chances at even strength, they have to convert power play chances into goals to keep this game close.
Jakub Dobes
The player who might be under the most pressure or the player who can take over a game seemingly by himself, is Jakub Dobes. The rookie goalie has tried to do that at times in these playoffs and put together impressive performances.
In the two elimination games the Canadiens have already faced this year, Dobes has stopped 65 of 68 shots and been able to keep it a low-scoring game. He has been excellent throughout the entire playoffs, and he will need to have a similar performance for Montreal to have a chance to win this game.
While the Canadiens are going to need everyone in Game 5 to get the win against the Carolina Hurricanes, these four players have a chance to be the difference for Montreal and secure the win.
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