Fleury and Stephenson to face the Canadiens in Game 5
The forward was in the warm-up before the game at T-Mobile Arena (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, CBC, SN, NBCSN).
« The decision will be made before the game, » DeBoer let know on Tuesday morning.
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The Vegas attacking main unit center has been out since Game 2 of the series with an undisclosed injury.
The Golden Knights were dying to get him back into the squad to rekindle his two wingers Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty.
Fleury resumes her post
After being left out in Game 4, Fleury will be the office keeper for Vegas. Yet we believed that Robin lehner would be back, after allowing his team to level the odds 2-2 in the series.
However, Fleury left the ice first at the end of the morning session in Vegas, which followed the coach’s videoconference. He played in 15 of the Golden Knights’ 17 playoff games, but DeBoer decided to call on Lehner following a blunder by Fleury late in the third period in Game 3, which led to the tying goal. Canadians. Montreal won 3-2 in overtime thereafter.
After the meeting on Sunday, Lehner had decided to play in the head of the Habs, mentioning that he knew what would do Cole caufield when he appeared alone in front of him in the second period.
« The screening report we have on him says he is pulling high or trying to thread the needle between the leggings, » he revealed.
To which the small Canadiens winger responded this Tuesday: “It’s a good thing that he thinks that and that he expresses it publicly. That way, I can try new things the next time. «
Evans, not yet
Among Canadians, no change in training is to be expected. The only injured, the attacker Jake evans (concussion), continues to train with the group with a dark blue shirt forbidding any physical contact.
The Canadiens will try to defeat the Golden Knights in their castle for the second time in three games.
« We have been successful abroad for two seasons, » said assistant coach Luke Richardson, who replaces Dominique Ducharme in his absence.
“We frustrate the opponents with our style of play,” he continued. We play with speed and we apply ourselves in defense. It annoys teams who want to put on a show for their fans. «
Here are three things to watch for in Game 5:
1. More yo-yos?
Stephenson’s return will allow DeBoer to avoid scratching his brains about his training, which he had to juggle quite a bit. The center player still needs to be healthy enough to perform.
Alex tuch started the last two meetings between Stone and Pacioretty, but each time the experience ended after a period. Keegan Kolesar and Tomas nosek had auditions, without brilliance. Tuch can be threatening at times on the big threesome, but he’s never as threatening as when he’s on his usual threesome with Nicolas roy and Mattias Janmark.
« We can give rhythm to the team and that’s our role, » said the Quebec striker on Sunday. “We skate, we play quite physically and we like to play games. Alex could play in the top-6 for most teams in the League. We are lucky to have him with us. He brings a lot of offense. «
Vegas’ third unit was hands down the most consistent, as Roy – twice – and Mattias Janmark are the only forwards on the team who have hit the back of the net after four games.
Video: VGK @ MTL, # 4: Roy gives Vegas victory
2. Adverse effects
The effects of the three-hour time difference could negatively impact the quality of play in the next two games. Fatigue could be felt on both sides.
As much as the adrenaline rushes the players have, they have a biological clock like everyone else. Observers believe we could see more offensive games because more mistakes could be made.
“For sure the hour gap and the travel get in your body,” DeBoer said. The two teams are in the same boat. You must try to handle the situation better than your opponents. It is the objective. We have carefully planned our travel schedule. «
The situation is exceptional this year. Normally, the East and West teams only collide in the Stanley Cup Final. We then lighten the schedule for them. There are two days of respite when traveling between games to allow players to recover more and perform better.
3. It smacks of … the goal
As they managed to do against the big guns of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets, the trio of Phillip danault silenced those of the Golden Knights. Stone, the team’s leading scorer this season, is still chasing his first point while Pacioretty has two assists.
The Habs could not do without the defensive work of the trio completed by Arturri Lehkonen and Brendan Gallagher, but he wouldn’t turn down a small goal every now and then. The three accomplices were cleared during the first four meetings.
The release should not be long, however, word of Richardson.
“Gallagher had his best game of the series on Sunday, he took a few shots and he went for the net,” said the Canadiens assistant. “It’s a matter of time before he counts one or two for us. «
Planned Golden Knights roster
Max Pacioretty – Chandler Stephenson – Mark Stone
Jonathan marchessault – William karlsson – Reilly smith
Mattias Janmark – Nicolas Roy – Alex Tuch
William carrier – Tomas Nosek – Keegan Kolesar
Alec martinez – Alex Pietrangelo
Brayden McNabb – Shea theodore
Nick holden – Zach Whitecloud
Robin lehner
Marc-André Fleury
Entrenched: Nicolas hague, Patrick brown, Cody Glass, Jimmy Schuldt, Logan thompson, Jiri Patera, Kaedan Korczak, Jonas Rondbjerg, Dylan coghlan, Carl Dahlstrom, Jack Dugan, Dylan sikura
Injured: Peyton Krebs (jawbone), Chandler Stephenson (undisclosed)
Planned training of Canadians
Artturi Lehkonen – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
Tyler toffoli – Nick suzuki – Cole Caufield
Paul Byron – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Josh Anderson
Joel armia – Eric Staal – Corey perry
Ben chiarot – Shea weber
Jeff petry – Joel edmundson
Jon merrill – Erik Gustafsson
Carey Price
Jake allen
Entrenched: Alexander Romanov, Brett Kulak, Tomas Tatar, Michael frolik, Alex Belzile, Xavier Ouellet, Cayden Primeau
Injured: Jake Evans (concussion)
