The Penguins head into game three having locked down the victory on Monday night. Most likely, the Penguins will keep the same lines as well as defensive pairings used in game two. They will more than likely have Matt Murray start again, along with Carey Price for the opposing Canadiens.
As much as they stayed out of the penalty box, getting only a few penalty calls, they need to stay out of the box completely in an effort to have all players active. Brian Dumoulin and Kris Letang are a shutdown pair and it’s as if there was never a pause. They need to keep the chemistry flowing if the Penguins wish to move on up with a victory. Given their win in game two, it gives Pittsburgh an advantage in what could be the last game. If the Penguins finish it off, you can surely bet that they will come out swinging again.
In order to win game three, they will have to come out fast and hard, this drawing a comparison to what we saw in game two. They played with both fire and resilience and both stood out as they tied up the series. The top power play unit needs for Winnipeg to get the pucks past backstop Carey Price.
Matt Murray, a native of Thunder Bay, has been the best player for the Penguins thus far. If it weren’t for him, the game score would be way worse against Montreal. Although all four lines had puck possession, they must contribute more which the team is hopeful for.
If watching game two is a preview of game three, you can expect that it will be chippier with harder hits, board checks and more fights. Although neither team wants to take fighting minors, fighting majors or even roughing penalties, it’s bound to happen regardless. Tensions will be running high as a series lead is at stake.
The Penguins will be considered the road team for game three, so what exactly does that mean? It means that they will have to play as if they were the home team in front of their home crowd. A home win for the Montreal Canadiens means they will definitely have the advantage over Pittsburgh.
With the win, they’ll not only be up a game from the Penguins, but will also be awarded “home ice” advantage. Although the crowd won’t be there to hype them up, the in-game crowd noise will make it feel like home.
The important key to winning game three for the Habs and the Penguins is to score the first goal. Playoff history has proven that in most of the games past and present, the first team to score will later go on to win it. Evgeni Malkin has not been up to par with the rest of the team since their tune-up in Toronto.
At the beginning of the regular season, the centreman was in top season form, and after the pause, he’s just been lacking since the playoffs started. The Penguins are going to need one of their leading scorers to step up in game three. Another key to winning the game for either side is getting more pucks on net, but more-so then that, getting into the crease.
Adding further to that, both do need to happen, but while doing so with a net front presence and setting up a screen for both goaltenders respectively. Game two was lacking net front presence by both teams while there wasn’t a screen from either side at any time. Game three will most likely be intense, not only for the players, but the fanbase as well. Only the best will win and advance to round one with a victory on Wednesday.
The game is available for viewing on Sportsnet Ontario NHL.TV and NBC, meanwhile, it can be heard via radio on TSN 690 and 98.5fm. It will also be carried in Canadiens region on TVA Sports to be watched in French.