Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Canadiens 'not finished yet' despite facing sweep

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 04 July 2021 12:42

The Tampa Bay Lightning can raise the Stanley Cup over Montreal ice after Game 4 on Monday, as they lead the Canadiens 3-0 in their series. While seeing an opponent celebrating a championship in Bell Centre isn't ideal, defenseman Jeff Petry kept the bigger picture in mind.

"We don't want to see the Lightning win the Stanley Cup, at all," he said on Sunday. "You're not going to win four games by winning one tomorrow. Our goal is to win tomorrow's game and deal with flying out and preparing for a game in Tampa."

The Canadiens face elimination after a 6-3 Game 3 defeat that saw them make a number of mistakes that led to Lightning goals, which has been a recurring theme in a series that's seen them outscored 14-5.

"We know what we need to do and we know it's about executing. It's about executing under pressure. It's about making those plays at the right time. But we know how to do it, and we'll do it," said Montreal coach Dominique Ducharme, who said any lineup decisions for the team would be revealed Monday.

Ducharme pointed to the team's Game 2 effort in a 3-1 loss as "the best" the Canadiens can offer in the series, a proof of concept that they're not outmatched by the defending Stanley Cup champions. They're relying on that and the resiliency that led to their spot in the Final, including a rally from being down 3-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round.

"We're here for a reason. Obviously we've dug ourselves a little bit of a hole here, but the mood's light right now," said forward Josh Anderson. "We have a job to do, and we're going to do everything we can to stay in this thing and fly out to Tampa on Tuesday. Everyone's just getting prepared for tomorrow night's game and we're all going to compete and work hard and put a full night's effort in."

Montreal could benefit from a unique break in the Stanley Cup playoffs schedule. While most games have been played on one day's rest, the series between the Canadiens and Lightning took the weekend off due to broadcasting conflicts.

"I think it helps give us a day, yesterday, to kind of reset and refresh," Petry said. "Obviously today, we were working on a few specialty teams and getting on the ice and meeting this morning. I think it was a good day yesterday to kind of reset, refresh and make sure that we're ready to take this challenge head-on."

But it's a challenge that's proved nearly impossible to rally against. Only one team in NHL history has come back to win the Stanley Cup after losing the first three games of the Final: the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, although the New York Islanders (1975), Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and Los Angeles Kings (2014) rallied for series wins in earlier rounds.

Plus, for the Canadiens to rally, they'd have to do so against a Lightning team that's 14-0 after playoff defeats since the start of last postseason.

"Well, we've got nothing to lose at this point. Everyone's going to be ready for tomorrow night, I can tell you that," said Anderson. "We're not finished yet. So take it one game at a time and come in tomorrow night ready to play."

Read 297 times

Soccer

France boss concerned for players' mental health

France boss concerned for players' mental health

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFrance manager Didier Deschamps has expressed concern over the grow...

Hungary coach thankful for support after collapse

Hungary coach thankful for support after collapse

EmailPrintHungary assistant coach Adam Szalai said he was fine after collapsing and being rushed to...

What the Premier League Big Six need in January transfer window

What the Premier League Big Six need in January transfer window

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League has paused for the final international break of...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

LeBron, CP3 among active players from waning NBA draft classes

LeBron, CP3 among active players from waning NBA draft classes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThere's an underlying storyline heading into the meeting between th...

Wembanyama (knee) misses Spurs' loss to Mavs

Wembanyama (knee) misses Spurs' loss to Mavs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama missed Saturda...

Baseball

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated