A pivotal Game 5 takes center stage on Tuesday, as the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights battle it out in Sin City. The Knights overcame a series deficit and a one-goal deficit in Game 4 to even things up at two heading back home.
Here is a look at the series so far, some key players to watch, and a free pick to win. Vegas is a big favorite at home, listed at -250, while Montreal is +205 to pull off the upset.
Series Recap
The series started how many expected, as the Golden Knights cruised to a 4-1 victory in Game 1. Defenseman Shea Theodore earned first star honors with a goal and an assist, while goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 28 shots in the win.
Game 2 was a different story, as the Canadiens scored the first three goals of the game and held on for a 3-2 victory to even the series. Right-wing Paul Byron scored the eventual game-winner, his second goal of the playoffs, while Carey Price made 29 saves.
When the series shifted to Montreal, right-wing Josh Anderson was able to score both the game-tying goal and game-winner in overtime, lifting the Habs to a 3-2 win. The other highlight was Price, who, despite his team getting out-shot 45-27, made 43 saves and earned the first star.
Then in Game 4, another overtime game led to center Nicolas Roy scoring the game-winner, as the Knights tied the series with a 2-1 victory. Vegas was out-shot this time around and held to just 21 shots overall but were kept in the game thanks to the clutch performance of netminder Robin Lehner.
Players to Watch
Right-wing Tyler Toffoli is Montreal’s leading postseason scorer with five goals and 12 points. However, he has been held without a point in each of the last two games. The same is true for defenseman Jeff Petry, who has one lone assist this series despite being second only to Toffoli on the team’s regular-season points list.
One steady performer, though, has been Byron. The veteran has just five points all postseason, but three of them have come in the last three games, including a pair of goals.
Vegas would love to get right-wing Mark Stone going. The team-leader in points in the regular season, Stone has mustered up eight playoff points in 17 games but none since Game 5 against Colorado.
Left-wing Jonathan Marchessault is another who has been quiet this series, earning just one assist back in Game 2. But that’s not the case for center William Karlsson, who leads the Knights with 14 playoff points and has assists in all but one game this series.
Key Stat
Game 4 went to the Golden Knights; however, they were carried by the performance of Lehner. Montreal held a whopping 17-2 advantage in high-danger scoring chances, an indication that they were the more dominant team.
Betting Pick
There are a couple of factors at play for the Golden Knights. First, head coach Peter DeBoer will have to decide whether he sticks with Lehner in net or moves back to Fleury, a decision that could without a doubt decide the series. There is also a possibility that top-line center Chandler Stephenson returns after suffering an injury in Game 1, a move that would unequivocally benefit Stone and Max Pacioretty as well.
With those question marks, Vegas is still an enormous favorite. Montreal has already won one game on the road and just outplayed the Knights two days ago, so there is huge value on them on Tuesday night. With Price leading the way, I’ll pick the Habs in an upset in Game 5.
Pick: Canadiens +205
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