Both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens came out to slow starts with neither team able to finish any plays with only a single shot by the Penguins. However, the Canadiens had a chance to take control by being given the first powerplay of the night, the problem being that the Canadiens powerplay is the worst in the NHL since the start of the new year but the third best road powerplay on the season.
The Habs mixed things up on the powerplay, replacing Ben Chiarot with Victor Mete on the blue line in hopes that this would add an element of speed and playmaking.