The Montreal Canadiens moved one step closer to a much-anticipated return to the Stanley Cup Final after beating the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-1, in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series. Nick Suzuki starred for the Canadiens who head back to Montreal for Game 6 holding a critical 3-2 series lead.
With the series tied at two games apiece, the Montreal Canadiens knew how important it was to win Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Prior to Tuesday's clash, teams that prevail in Game 5 when a best-of-7 NHL semifinal is tied had gone on to win the series 46 out of 61 times.
Montreal starts strong
It was important for them to get a dream start and the Canadiens did just that with Jesperi Kotkaniemi scoring the opener at 8:45 of the first period. Vegas goalie Marc Andre Fleury made a fine stop on Josh Anderson's backhand on a breakaway, but Kotkaniemi was able to convert the rebound, scoring into an open net to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.
Eric Staal then doubled Montreal's advantage at 6:32 of the second period after some fine play from Suzuki. After a perfectly timed backcheck on Jonathan Marchessault, Suzuki delivered a pinpoint pass to Staal who blasted a wrist shot past Fleury on the top shelf.
Cole Caufield stretched the Canadiens' lead to three goals at 9:49 of the second period with a power play goal. Suzuki forced a Vegas turnover in the neutral zone to create a 2-on-1 opportunity, with Caufield scoring his third goal of the series with a one-time shot off a pass from Corey Perry.
Caufield has been on fire of late, scoring six points (three goals, three assists) in the past seven games. With eight points (three goals, five assists) in 14 games in this year's playoffs, Caufield is the first Canadiens rookie to record at least eight points in a single postseason since defenseman P.K. Subban accomplished the feat in 2010 (one goal, seven assists)
Max Pacioretty sliced Montreal's lead to 3-1 at 4:09 of the third period with a wrist shot from the slot. It was the first goal by a top-six forward for the Golden Knights in the series. The Canadiens stood firm, however, restoring their three-goal lead with 1:06 remaining with Suzuki firing into an open net. Vegas just could not find a way past Carey Price who stopped the final nine shots he saw. Price finished the game with 26 saves.
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Defense the key for Montreal
Forward play has been the difference in this series thus far. The Golden Knights have gotten just four goals from their forwards in the five playoff games they have played against Montreal. The Canadiens matched that total in Game 5 alone.
Montreal's defense in this series has been simply superb, particularly when it comes to the penalty kill. The Canadiens have not surrendered a power-play goal in each of their last 12 games, the longest streak in the postseason since the NHL began tracking goals by strength in 1933-34. Montreal is 28-for-28 on the penalty kill during that span.
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