Had someone told me prior to the playoffs that Montreal would be in the finals, I would have openly mocked them. Turns out I’m an idiot and they have a legit shot at winning the whole thing. However, standing in their way is the best team they will face this season, and the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Let’s take a look at how these two match up.
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Both teams are built deep from the 1st line to the 4th. How they are assembled is slightly different.
Montreal in my opinion has a solid 1st line, followed by three 3rd lines.
Nick Suzuki and his linemates will be a handful for the Tampa defenders. These guys are playing with a ton of confidence right now. How can anyone not love Cole Caufield? This kid is an absolute snipe, and plays with a youthful exuberance that has clearly rubbed off on his teammates.
The Danault line will be tasked with shutting down the Brayden Point line. Good luck with that. As of yet, no one has come close to slowing this trio down.
I am expecting big things from Perry, Anderson, and Gallagher. Tampa has players like Maroon and Sergachev that love to get engaged after the whistle. I think this will bring out the best in these 3.
This Lightning group is disgusting.
They are playing with a swagger right now and it’s gonna take a hell of an effort to slow them down.
If somehow Danault succeeds in slowing the Point line, the Cirelli line will be ready and waiting.
There’s not much else to say about the Tampa forwards. They are playing with that BDE and they definitely outclass the Montreal group.
Advantage Tampa.
Defence
Big time minute eaters vs a superstar and his group of steady Eddie’s.
Just like the previous three rounds for Montreal, this series is going to come down to how well the Montreal core 4 can handle the oppositions forwards.
This Tampa group is a completely different animal then the Habs have faced. My mind says they will be overwhelmed, but all these guys have done is prove me wrong.
If they can keep the top 2 lines at bay and not get burned on the PP, I think Montreal will be very successful this round. If the Lightning start rolling, look out. This could be over in a hurry.
For Tampa, they will need to find a way to prevent Montreal from scoring on the rush. The Habs have been lethal at this.
I am very excited to see how Segachev plays this round. He is a guy that can allow players to get under his skin. Montreal is full of guys that love to do that.
Despite my lack of faith due to the Tampa firepower, I still think Montreal has the clear defensive advantage.
Goaltending
The two best goalies in the world are going head to head for the Stanley Cup. Not since 2001 with Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur have we seen a match up this sexy.
There is basically nothing a peasant like me can say about these 2 that hasn’t already been said.
If the Habs pull this off and win it all, Price is the Conn Smythe winner. No question. He has been that good.
At the other end is the goalie I feel is the best in the game. Vasilevskiy has strung together 4 consecutive shutouts in his last 4 elimination games. This man is special.
There is no advantage here. Either guy can steal a series on their own.
Prediction
This series is going to come down to the Montreal defence vs the Tampa forwards. Both have been on a roll all postseason long.
My gut is telling me that Tampa wins it all and goes back to back. Winning it last year has given this group some next level swagger. They look like a dynasty in the making.
That’s why I am going with Montreal to win in 6. Nothing makes sense this year. I pray for the city of Montreal if they do win.