Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes is ready for Monday night. The Eastern Conference Finals heads to Montreal with the series tied, after the Hurricanes took a 3-2 additional time victory over Montreal in Game 2.
While it was a solid game for the Canadiens, coach Martin St. Louis is making a lineup change, based on hockey insider Elliotte Friedman.
“Martin St Louis confirms Oliver Kapanen won’t play tonight,” Friedman posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Kapanen has not been good within the playoffs up to now. He has played in only seven games, with a minus-two plus/minus rating. He can also be only averaging just 8:20 of ice time, while he has not had some extent within the playoffs up to now. The forward played in 4 games of the primary round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, before only playing Game 7 of the series against the Buffalo Sabres. He has played in each games up to now and has not registered a shot on goal, while having a minus-two rating in two games.
Joe Veleno will likely be taking the spot of Kapanen within the lineup. He has not played since Game 6 of the series against the Buffalo Sabres. To date within the playoffs, he has averaged 9:40 of ice time while having an assist. St. Louis spoke about why the change is going down, based on Sportnet.
“Kappy (Oliver Kapanen) goes to be out tonight and it is not necessarily for that (his turnover in OT of Game 2),” St. Louis told reporters. “We feel like Carolina bring a variety of heaviness and speed and I feel like Joey (Joe Veleno) can provide us that.”
Game 3 is ready for Monday night with puck drop at 8 pm ET.
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes is ready for Monday night. The Eastern Conference Finals heads to Montreal with the series tied, after the Hurricanes took a 3-2 additional time victory over Montreal in Game 2. While it was a solid game for the Canadiens, coach Martin St.