Radulov helps Canadiens beat Rangers 3-1 for series lead

Through much of the first two games and essentially all of Game 3, Montreal forced NY into neutral zone dumps, most of which were cleared easily.

“We had a lot of energy for sure”, he said. In the first few minutes, they peppered Carey Price with four shots, culminating in a Marc Staal rocket that Price turned aside expertly with an an impressive pad save.

Minnesota Wild’s Jared Spurgeon (46) controls the puck against St. Louis Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko (91) during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Friday, April 14, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. D Nick Holden, who played the first two games of the series before being scratched for Game 3, was back for Game 4.

Rick Nash’s tie-breaking goal early in the second period was the game-winner while Jesper Fast also scored for NY. “We left him in Montreal because he’ll be able to skate and get better treatment there”.

With 54 saves, Lundqvist bested his previous playoff high of 49. NY needs to get in the right mindset and put their best play forward if they want to grab a win in game four.

As had been expected, Alain Vigneault made changes to the NY lineup, inserting Pavel Buchnevich and Nick Holden for Tanner Glass and Kevin Klein. The puck went in the net on the play but the goal was immediately waved off and Nash was assessed a two-minute minor for goalie interference, thereby nullifying the NY power play.

Lineup update: The Canadiens went with the same lineup that produced victory in Game 3, but Claude Julien juggled his lines in the second period with Shaw joining Philip Danault and Max Pacioretty, while Radulov and Artturi Lehkonen flanked Alex Galchenyuk.

“Today is another day”, Julien said during his media availability at Madison Square Garden Monday afternoon.

Unlike Game 2, Lundqvist and the Rangers were able to hold on through those desperate last minutes, with Shea Weber’s slap shot slamming off the post and away from danger. Michael Grabner, Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash scored for NY. “We’ve gotta focus on one game and get that next one”.

Being tied 1-1 in a series is nothing new for the Rangers. Crosby scored the game’s first goal and then assisted on goals by Jake Guentzel in the second and Evgeni Malkin in the third.

The Canadiens tied it late in the period. While I am very happy to see Buchnevich back in the lineup, it is a bit of a shame that Glass, who has played so well through three games, is coming out.

Game 3 is Sunday night in NY. “I think our execution needs to be much better if we expect to win”. That was a complete 180 from Game 2, where the Rangers ultimately shot themselves in the foot by sitting back on their lead late in the game.

The Rangers outshot the Canadiens by a 32-24 margin in what was by far their best all-around effort of the series to this point. “The guys know you’ve got to breathe, you’ve got to go out, you’ve got to play”.

After almost falling into an 0-2 hole, the Canadiens now have the series lead. San Jose scored their sixth goal on the subsequent power play. In doing so, the Canadiens limited NY to 21 shots.

It was a dominant performance by the Oilers and particularly by Kassian, a fourth-line winger who drove the net effectively and delivered bone-jarring hits on the Sharks’ Brenden Dillon and Logan Couture.