The Habs gave up two goals early, including a 2-on-0 situation where Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski found themselves all alone in front of Carey Price. Unsurprisingly, they made Montreal pay for the offensive-turnover that led to the chance.
2. Blenderific
Michel Therrien’s patented blender was in full display all game long. A lineup that saw Torrey Mitchell centring the first line, was quickly meddled with as left wingers Paul Byron, Artturi Lehkonen, and Max Pacioretty found themselves bounced around all four lines throughout the game.
But credit must be given to the coach for creating the most optimal lineup by placing Pacioretty with Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov, promoting Lehkonen to the second line alongside Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher, while sending Byron down to the third line with the David Desharnais and Andrew Shaw duo.