No Carey Price, no problem. The Montreal Canadiens leaned on replacement Dustin Tokarski, who appeared to be just as good (or even better) than Price at least in Game 3, to help the Habs carve out a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers.
Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – May 17, New York 7 at Montreal 2
Game 2 – May 19, New York 3 at Montreal 1
Game 3 – May 22, Montreal 3 at New York 1
Game 4 – May 25, 8:00 PM ET, Montreal (+1.5) at New York (-1.5); total: 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Game 5 – May 27, 8:00 PM ET, New York at Montreal
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 29, 8:00 PM ET, Montreal at New York
Game 7 (if necessary) – May 31, 8:00 PM ET, New York at Montreal
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens
Like what they always say in the postseason – the series does not start until the road team wins. The Montreal Canadiens did just that, as Alex Galchenyuk scored the overtime game-winner to give rookie goalie Dustin Tokarski his first career-win in the postseason. The Habs have now won three straight games at Madison Square Garden.
Tokarski was phenomenal in the net for Montreal. He played like a playoff-savvy veteran, stopping 35 of the New York Rangers’ 37 shots on goal. He kept the Canadiens in the game as the team’s offense started sluggishly. Montreal only had four shots on goal in the first period, and continued to get lackluster effort from Thomas Vanek.
Vanek launched just one shot on goal in Game 3 and second overall in the series. While he had an assist, it was his only point in Montreal’s last four games. The eight-year veteran has to shoot more if he wants to overcome his scoring slump.
The over is 3-1-1 in Montreal’s last five road games.
Betting on the New York Rangers
The Rangers saw their winning streak snapped in Game 3, allowing Montreal to get back in the series. Nevertheless, New York is 5-1 in their last six games overall.
With Montreal goalie Tokarski‘s confidence soaring, the Rangers’ offense must quell it before he becomes a bigger factor in the series. Tokarski is looking to follow in the footsteps of former Canadiens’ goalie and Carey Price backup Jaroslav Halak. In 2010, Halak led Montreal to a shocking comeback to oust then President’s Trophy winners Washington Capitals after falling behind in the series, 3-1.
Despite the loss, the Rangers played well in Game 3, only ending up at the short end of the stick in overtime. Expect them to continue launching a myriad of shots as they’ve shown so far in the series.
They have outshot Montreal in each of the first three games, including 30 attempts on goal in Game 3.
As for Lundqvist, he is a Vezina-trophy winner and he should just be fine after the loss. If the Rangers could keep up their aggressiveness on offense, then goals will come to them just like in games 1 and 2.
The Rangers are 6-4 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The New York Rangers will bounce back and win Game 4. With Tokarski’s newfound confidence, expect another competitive match between him and Lundqvist. Take the game to go under the total.
