The Montreal Canadiens are getting ready for Game 3 on Monday night, and during the morning practice seemed to indicate a change to their lineup. According to reports, Joe Veleno was skating with the regular starters while Oliver Kapanen was with the reserves.
After a promising rookie season where Kapanen had over 20 goals, he has struggled to make the same impact in the playoffs. He has appeared in seven games throughout the playoffs but has yet to record a point, and in the last game in Game 2 against the Hurricanes had a +/- of -2.
The Montreal Canadiens should have put Brendan Gallagher in the lineup instead of Joe Veleno
In place of Kapanen, the Canadiens are going with Joe Veleno, who didn't play against the Tampa Bay Lightning but was in the lineup for the first six games in the series against the Buffalo Sabres. He would finish with one assist, a +/- of -1, and had 15 hits.
The physicality that he brings to the ice is probably the key reason the Canadiens decided to make the switch has as they are currently getting outhit through two games, 90-34. However, it is surprising that they elected to go with Veleno over Brendan Gallagher.
The Canadiens' alternate captain hasn't been on the ice much in these playoffs, but when he has, he has made an impact. He played in three games against the Lightning and had a goal and five hits in just under 6:30 of ice time per game.
He could bring similar physicality that Veleno does, but where he is better is right in front of the net. Gallagher has done a great job crashing the net and winning those battles right in front.
The Canadiens are making the right move by taking Oliver Kapanen out of the lineup as he has struggled in these playoffs, but if Veleno doesn't make the impact expected, Martin St. Louis needs to be prepared to go to the veteran in Game 4.
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