Game 3 answered some of our takes from the pregame. We saw Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Tage Thompson all find the goal column. Buffalo's powerplay went 1-4 but they still managed to have poor zone entries. Montreal exploded offensively and has people wondering can Buffalo come back in this series?
New target between the pipes
One area where Buffalo is seeing change is in goal. Luukkonen gets the start for Buffalo after he lost his job to Lyon back in round one. Entering this game Luukkonen is 1-1 with a 0.825 save percentage and 4.19 GAA. He needs to find his regular season stats: 22-9-3 with a 2.51 GAA and .909 save percentage over 35 appearances. Montreal found a way to get to the front of the net and convert rebound chances like Alex Newhook's first goal.
A new face on Defense
Buffalo is also making a change on defense, bringing in Luke Schenn. A playoff vet with size to help clear out the front of the net. In 58 playoff games Schenn has 3 goals, 5 assists and sits +7 for his career. He will look to be a physical presence on the ice as Montreal pushed Buffalo around in Game 3.
What does Montreal need to change? Nothing
They controlled Game 3 almost from the jump. Tage Thompson opened the scoring for Buffalo 53 seconds in, but from 19:06 in the first, Montreal took it to Buffalo.
Montreal fans are still waiting to see if Demidov can find the back of the net in this one. He rang a shot off the crossbar during a late 3rd period powerplay last game. Other than that chance he hasn't really been close.
Montreal has been controlling the puck and pace of play. Strong centre play is helping them control the faceoffs and Buffalo cannot get possession back. Veleno was a perfect 5-5, Suzuki was 14-21 (66.7% overall and 75% at 5 on 5), and Kirby Dach was 4-7 (57.1%). If Montreal can repeat that same control and puck dominance, the result should be the same.
The Bell Centre, again
In Game 3 the Bell Centre was on full display, with one of the great showings this year in all of sports. I expect the same. Everyone in Montreal can smell blood in the water. Buffalo needs a bounce back, and it could come from Luukkonen or Schenn.
What's on the line
If Montreal wins this game the series goes to 3-1, with little hope for Buffalo. The last team to come back from 3-1 was the 2023 Florida Panthers vs Boston, which sparked their Cup runs.
If Buffalo wins this game, the series is now tied at 2-2 and the door swings wide open with Buffalo having home ice advantage in Game 5. That would help on the faceoff dot, and I would expect Buffalo to do their best to rival the Montreal atmosphere.