Delivers 10th career playoff shutout in Game 1

Montreal had swept the series 3-0, Carey Price had not lost a regulation game to the Rangers since they were defeated in the 2014 playoffs, and the records over the past twenty games could not have been more different.

The Rangers have won six of their last seven playoff games against the Canadiens in Montreal, dating back to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 1996. The focus has to be on speed and skill, with matching Montreal’s physical play being secondary.

The Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs in the East, and Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames in the West all reached the playoffs, but their paths are challenging as the top three teams in each conference are USA -based.

This match-up won’t be easy and the Rangers will need to bring their A-game, but NY has some secret weapons that can give them the edge in the match-up. He also was whistled for a high-sticking minor, which coach Alain Vigneault disputed. “That’s where I’m going to score goals”. They had four guys with at least 50 points, led by right winger Mats Zuccarello’s 59. Kreider led the way with 28, followed by Michael Grabner’s 27 and Rick Nash with 23. Lundqvist has had great success in the playoffs, posting a save percentage of.921 with a goals-against average of 2.28.

In the third period, the Rangers continued to play well on the road, as they were able to hold on to a win. There’s no reason that script can’t be flipped in Game 2 on Friday, but don’t expect scoring to rise much.

“It’s the playoffs – you can’t win all 16 games straight”, said Radulov. Lundqvist was 0-2-1 with a 4.04 GAA and.871 save percentage.

Tuesday: at NY, 7 p.m.

The Habs won the Atlantic Division with 103 points. Since the arrival of Claude Julien as coach, the Canadiens are spending a lot less time in their own zone and they’re attacking the puck with more gusto. Julien had recently been fired by the Bruins. Blue Jackets RW Oliver Bjorkstrand had wonderful possession numbers (16 for, 1 against, 94.1 CF%, 5-1 scoring chances) at Pittsburgh…

The St. Louis netminder stole Game One, turning back 51 of 52 shots in a 2-1 overtime at Minnesota.

Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh. They allowed a half-goal fewer per game under Julien than under Therrien. It was the first playoff game in the Oilers’ new downtown arena and the team’s first National Hockey League postseason game in nearly 11 years.

It was the only goal the Rangers would need as they beat the Canadiens 2-0 with Game 2 slated for the Bell Centre Friday night (7 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690). Lindberg ten. And Fast, who plays up late in games to help protect the lead, almost 14. And it is true Lundqvist had the most inconsistent regular season of his career in 2016-17. And I’m exhausted of hearing how Chris Kreider’s cheap shot injured him in Game 1 of the Conference final back in 2014. Dustin Tokarski took over. The Canadiens went 3-0-0 against them this season.

Weber said the Rangers sat back in the third period and did a good job of keeping Montreal to the outside. His first-period tally stood until a late empty-net goal sealed the win.

Montreal is also +700 to win the East.

Price is 15-5-1 with a 1.82 goals against average and.940 save percentage in his career against the Rangers while Lundqvist, who seems to have never quite got over blowing a 5-0 lead and losing to Montreal on February 20, 2008, is 14-17-3 with a 2.57 average and.898 save percentage against Montreal. These should all be tight. He has confidence in his game plan and his players.