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Montreal can't halt the collapse
Montreal couldn't have started the series on a worse note, and it's hard to pinpoint one reason for that. New York coach Alain Vigneault speculated after the game that the afternoon start might've caught Montreal off-guard, but that's a poor excuse for the Canadiens' failure to stem the tide as the Rangers poured on goals. When New York caught them flat-footed, they were burned. For whatever reason Montreal never got their legs moving or their energy level up enough to keep pace with New York, which has to change if they want to survive Game 2. -
Speed kills
The Canadiens are one of the faster teams in the NHL, so the Rangers had to match them to have any success in the series. New York was quick all day, whether it was Chris Kreider speeding through the lanes or that tic-tac-toe passing play that ended with Derek Stepan's third-period goal. The Rangers were one step ahead of the Canadiens both mentally and physically, which is a huge reason why they came out on top in Game 1. -
Is Carey Price injured?
Montreal's goaltender looked like his usual calm self for the first half of Game 1 until Chris Kreider barreled into his right leg at about 200 miles per hour. Although he clutched his right knee in pain and looked shaken up, Price remained in the game. He wasn't the same after that, giving up five consecutive goals before getting benched. Michel Therrien didn't exactly deny that his goaltender was hurt after the game, which could mean trouble for the Canadiens moving forward.
Patrick Iversen | May 17, 2014
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