It won’t be the Forum, but the Eastern Conference finals will open on Saturday in the cathedral of hockey that remains Montreal, where the environment is unmatched across the NHL.
The only Canadian team in the playoffs, the Canadiens have emerged as Canada’s Team, four victories shy of getting to the Final for the first time since * Les Glorieux’s 24th and last Stanley Cup championship in 1993.
The Rangers, of course, are gunning for their first trip to the final since winning their only Cup in the last 74 years in 1994.
Both teams are coming off emotional seven-game conference semifinal victories, the Blueshirts rallying from 3-1 down against the heavily favored Penguins in the wake of the death of Martin St. Louis’ mother, and the Canadiens taking Games 6 and 7 from the Bruins to upset heavily favored, top-seed Boston.
Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price will duel at opposite ends of the ice in a rematch of the Gold Medal game in Sochi, in which Canada defeated Sweden 3-0.
Lundqvist, who will make his first start and appearance in Montreal since the 2011-12 season, was asked on Thursday about playing at Bell Centre.
“It’s been so long since I played there, I can’t really remember,” he said.
Now the King will try and create memories for a lifetime.
The matchups:
Goaltending
Lundqvist is at the top of his game with all the positive reinforcement necessary as he moves into the arena that’s been his own House of Horrors, the netminder 0-3-1 with a 6.99 GAA and .862 save percentage in his four starts since a March 17, 2009, 4-3 shootout victory; and 2-4-2 with a 5.32 GAA and .857 save percentage in his last nine starts in Montreal. Lundqvist has been exceptional around the net in the tournament and has been sharp tracking pucks through traffic.
Price, bidding to become the first netminder ever to win Olympic gold and the Stanley Cup in the same season, was outstanding against Boston, stealing Game 1 to set the tone for the series. The 6-foot-3 netminder, who has allowed one goal while recording five shutouts in his last six starts against the Rangers in Montreal, is very agile and covers the net extremely well. Blueshirts must get to the net to obstruct Price’s vision.
EDGE: Even
Defense
Ryan McDonagh, the Canadiens’ first-rounder who unaccountably got away and whose skating will be essential to the Rangers’ success, began to regain his form late in the Pittsburgh series, during which coach Alain Vigneault stressed No. 27 “is not hurt.” Dan Girardi lifted his game late against the Penguins while the Marc Staal-Anton Stralman pair was stalwart.
Vigneault is careful about his matches with the John Moore-Kevin Klein third pair. Rangers defensemen must make the simple plays out of their end and through the neutral zone against Montreal forwards who feast on transition while then getting up on the rush at the other end.
P.K. Subban, armed with myriad weapons and a larger-than-the-room personality, is all but guaranteed to emerge as Montreal’s supervillain. The reigning Norris Trophy winner, who leads his team with 12 points (4-8) can be fearsome on the rush and from the offensive blue line but also can be pressured into mistakes in his own end. Josh Gorges is dependable and strong one-on-one, Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin both move the puck well and can shoot. The Canadiens’ D will look to join the play.
EDGE: Rangers
Offense
Despite all of the other things Rick Nash and Derek Stepan are doing, these putative first-liners are going to need to chip in on offense in order for the Blueshirts to prevail. Chris Kreider, perhaps the most physical forward in the series, will have to use his size and strength to get to the net. Carl Hagelin’s speed and forecheck ability will be invaluable on the left with Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis, the latter of whom should thrive in a skating series. The Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello-Benoit Pouliot unit has continued to be the Rangers’ most consistent throughout the tournament, the trio strong on both the rush and very difficult to contain down low. The Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett line emerged as a force against the Penguins, but will face a tough match in Montreal’s fourth line that features former Rangers Brandon Prust and Dale Weise flanking Daniel Briere.
Much like the Rangers, the Canadiens are a pace and speed team that likes to get in on the forecheck and roll four lines. Montreal forwards, who live off the turnover and transition game, love to go backdoor when the opportunity presents. Max Pacioretty is a sniper who is deadly from the circles when given time and space, even as No. 67 is tough to handle in tight quarters. Lars Eller, Thomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta and Brendan Gallagher attack with speed. Tomas Vanek can go through shifts at a time where he’s invisible but is prone to bury any chance he gets around the net. Canadiens lead playoffs scoring 3.27 goals per game.
EDGE: Even
Special teams
The Rangers scored three power-play goals in their final three games against the Penguins, so they go into this series with clear minds despite the dreadful overall 6-for-55. So much of the key for the Rangers is their ability to gain the zone on the entry. Blueshirts’ penalty kill excelled in stopping Pittsburgh on 19-of-20 advantages with three primary units featuring Boyle-Hagelin, Dom Moore-St. Louis, Stepan-Nash. Rangers, always willing to block shots, had best not dive fast first in front of Subban howitzer.
Canadiens, 10-for-38 with the man advantage, fire away from the power-play points, with Subban and Markov both imposing at the blue line while forwards tend to move the puck quickly. Montreal penalty killers pressure the puck.
Edge:
Even
Coaches
Alain Vigneault has managed his team perfectly through the tournament in maintaining a level and consistent approach through peaks and valleys, remaining true to his personality.
Michel Therrien, once a trap zealot in Pittsburgh, not only has the Canadiens buying in, but has been able to provide a calming influence behind the bench of an emotional team.
EDGE: Even.
Prediction
The Canadiens won’t be able to play the no-respect card against the Rangers, who are unfailingly careful not to provoke opponents. This is a series matching teams with similar approaches and styles, both of whom want to play a high-energy, up-tempo game. Both teams are on an emotional high, and with a chance to play for the Cup four victories away, maintaining discipline will be a key.
Rangers in six.