Round 1 Game 4 Preview: Montreal Canadiens @ Ottawa Senators
After the insanity that occurred in game 3, what will be in store for game 4, when we will see the return of the protagonist from game 1.
VS
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINAL
OTTAWA LEADS BEST OF 7 SERIES 2-1
7:00 PM, SCOTIABANK PLACE
TV: CBC, RDS RADIO: TEAM1200
LAST GAME
In one of the most talked about games of the playoffs, Ottawa dominated both physically and on the scoreboard despite a number of cheap shots from Montreal players that triggered a bunch of altercations and one whole line brawl. Ottawa took the game 6-1 and took a 2-1 series lead.
May 2, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) makes a save on Montreal Canadiens right wing Rene Bourque (17) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brendan Gallagher, MTL – Gallagher scored in each of the first two games and despite his small stature, he plays a big-time playoff type game. He has spent almost as much time in the Ottawa crease are as Anderson. Ottawa needs to be physical with the smaller Canadiens forwards, and it begins with being hard, but legal, on Gallagher.
Erik Karlsson, OTT – Karlsson didn’t really look right after a weird-looking collision that had him off balance and leaning heavily on his recently repaired leg in the first period of Friday night’s game 2. He still played just under 30 minutes in each game sinee, but he looked tentative at times in the last 2 games and hasn’t really led the offensive rush as much as we are used to seeing.
TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME
1 Return of the Grybes – Montreal will get their first chance to see Eric Gryba on the ice since his hit that took Lars Eller and himself out of game 1. Will he be a factor, and will Montreal chase him around in order to exact revenge?
2. Montreal Bounceback – Montreal must have figured out by now that they don’t have the horses to push the Senators around physically, so expect them to focus on playing a speed game. Ottawa will have to match that speed and play a full team game to win.
3. Price Is Wrong – Price didn’t have a stellar game in Sunday’s loss. Still he is a goalie that can win a game on his own and Ottawa needs to pepper him with quality shots so as not to let him get in a groove.
PARTING SHOT
Players are going to be eating a lot of apples and carrots, tying their teeth to strings and doorknobs and slamming the door to loosen a tooth in hopes of getting one knocked out tonight. Three games, three players losing teeth and 3 first stars. It is a trend that probably won’t continue, but players are a superstitious bunch. The dentist’s should be close at hand.
Enjoy the Game!
Enjoy the game!