Playoff Preview: Canadiens at Rangers (Round 3, Game 3)

 
Match Up:

The Canadiens will look to reverse their fortunes in New York Thursday night when they face-off against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The Habs are down 2-0 in the series to the Rangers after being outscored 10-3 on home ice through 2 games. Dustin Tokarski took over goaltending duties for an injured Carey Price in Game 2. Tokarski allowed 3 goals on 30 shots and didn't look terrible in nets, but he couldn't compare to Henrik Lundqvist who gave up just 1 goal on 41 shots.

The game starts at 8:00 and can be seen on RDS and CBC.

What to Watch:

PK Subban has yet to find the scoresheet in the third round, but he did have 9 shots on goal on Monday. Max Pacioretty scored his fourth goal of the playoffs in Game 2, he has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 5 games.

Rick Nash was held goalless in 14 playoff games before this series started, he has a pair of goals, including a game winner, and an assist in this series. Ryan McDonagh has 6 of his 9 playoff points in this series, following up a 4-point game on Saturday with a goal and an assist in Monday's contest.

What's at Stake:

The Canadiens are fighting for survival. A victory in Game 3 will help bring them back into this series while a loss will almost surely spell a playoff exit.

Who's Out:

The Habs are missing Carey Price (knee) who will likely miss the rest of the series.

Derick Brassard missed Game 2 for the Rangers but could return to the lineup on Thursday.

What Else:

Trade deadline acquisitions are making a big splash in these playoffs, with 3 of the 4 remaining teams getting big boosts from their new additions. With 9 goals, Kings forward Marian Gaborik leads all playoff scorers in that department, fitting in nicely with LA in just 35 total games with the team. The Rangers have rallied behind new teammate Martin St. Louis after his mother passed away unexpectedly, and with 11 points in 16 games, St. Louis is the team's top playoff scorer.

There has been criticism leveled at Habs addition Thomas Vanek, but the Austrian sniper has 5 goals and is tied for the team lead. Mike Weaver, also brought in at the deadline, has a +8 rating in the playoffs, second in the league behind LA's Justin Williams.

The Question Mark:

Tell us what you think:

If you were coaching the Canadiens, what would be your message to the team prior to Game 3?

The Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show starts an hour before puck drop, join the live conversation by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter. And don’t miss the Post Game Show starting 5 minutes after the final siren.

Posted in: carey price,max pacioretty,montreal canadiens,New York Rangers,p.k subban,rick nash,ryan mcdonagh