The Lightning are set to battle the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of their first-round series on Friday. However, they will likely be without defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous. The game will be held at the Bell Centre.
D’Astous Injury Sidelines Him
D’Astous sustained an injury in Game 1 while chasing a loose puck. He was hit by two Montreal forwards simultaneously. Jake Evans made contact from the front, and Josh Anderson came in from behind with a hard hit.
The 28-year-old defenseman needed assistance from teammates to get down the tunnel and did not return to the game. He participated in the optional morning skate with the team’s expected scratches on Friday, suggesting he will be out for Game 3. Declan Carlile, who logged 17:38 in Game 2, is expected to be in the lineup again.
Hedman Joins Road Trip
Captain Victor Hedman has joined the team on the road trip. He has been back on the ice skating, which is encouraging for the Lightning.
Embracing the Bell Centre Environment
With the series moving to the Bell Centre, an intense atmosphere is anticipated from the start. The teams are so closely matched that the margin for error is minimal.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper addressed the upcoming environment on Friday morning. “This group, we know the task that is at hand,” Cooper said. “We know the environment is going to be great. I’m a big believer in embracing the environment. The dimensions of the rink don’t change, the amount of players on each team don’t change, and the fans, that’s part of the environment, so embrace it.”
Cooper added, “The atmosphere can work for you and against you. So just depending on how the game is going, and fans get nervous, too. Like, you can feel it. I’m not just saying this is the only place. I’ve felt it in Tampa, I feel it in other places. So I truly believe the team on the ice can dictate the emotions of what goes on in games. There’s a lot of emotions that are tied up in the game, and so that’s kind of what makes the game fun.”
Expected Lineups
Montreal is expected to use the same lineup from Games 1 and 2.
Lightning Forwards:
- Gage Goncalves — Brayden Point — Nikita Kucherov
- Brandon Hagel — Anthony Cirelli — Jake Guentzel
- Zemgus Girgensons — Yanni Gourde — Nick Paul
- Corey Perry — Dominic James – Scott Sabourin
Lightning Defence:
- Declan Carlile — Emil Lilleberg
The Lightning’s scratched players include Oliver Bjorkstrand, Conor Geekie, Max Crozier, Brandon Halverson and Victor Hedman. Pontus Holmberg and Charle-Edouard D’Astous are injured.
Canadiens Forwards:
- Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovsky
- Alexandre Texier — Alex Newhook — Ivan Demidov
- Zachary Bolduc — Oliver Kapanen — Kirby Dach
- Jake Evans — Phillip Danault – Josh Anderson
Canadiens Defence:
- Mike Matheson — Alexandre Carrier
The Canadiens’ scratched players include Brendan Gallagher, Joe Veleno, Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher. Patrik Laine and Noah Dobson are injured.
The environment at the Bell Centre is expected to be intense from the opening puck drop. Both teams are evenly matched, meaning that the margin for error is razor thin.