The Montreal Canadiens find themselves ahead 2-1 in their playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is despite the fact that the team’s top line, featuring Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovský, hasn’t scored a single goal at five-on-five.
While the top line has found success on the power play, particularly with Slafkovský’s hat trick in Game 1, the Canadiens relied on depth scoring to win Game 3. This is something that was a major concern entering the series.
Slafkovský stated after a practice that it doesn’t really matter who scores the goals, but that winning the game is what is important.
Suzuki’s Line Faces Tight Game Planning
Suzuki acknowledged the increased attention from the Lightning after Game 3, noting that they are game planning hard on his line. This heightened focus marks a shift, as the line has only recently emerged as one of the NHL’s top lines this season. It’s now a line that opposing teams develop specific strategies to contain in the playoffs.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper has assigned Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel to shadow Suzuki’s line, supported by a combination of Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov.
Cooper said it is a game plan they put in, and he wouldn’t say everything has worked, but that sure has.
St. Louis Remains Confident
The Canadiens’ coach, Martin St. Louis, has considered splitting up Slafkovský from Suzuki and Caufield, a tactic he employed earlier in the season. However, he seems hesitant to make that change. St. Louis remains confident in the line’s ability to break through, citing their established track record and the all-around contribution they offer.
St. Louis said that he feels like they probably want to generate more, but you have three elite players that are trying to answer to the critics without hurting the team. He added it’s a fine line.
He also posed the question of what they are going to talk about if the line explodes five-on-five and they lose 5-4. St. Louis said those guys are always a big part of offence.
Offensive Struggles Not Limited to Top Line
Kucherov has also only managed one goal at five-on-five in the series. Brayden Point has been held pointless at even strength.
The Canadiens’ chances of winning the series improve if the Suzuki line can find its rhythm at five-on-five.
St. Louis said that he is OK with who they’re on the ice against. He also said that he does try to help them during the game, and that he is confident of how responsible they’re going to be, and they’re going to still generate offence.