Canadiens able to bounce back
Montreal wins Game 2 to even series vs. Vegas
LAS VEGAS — The Montreal Canadiens vowed to adapt after looking out of sync in the first game of their Stanley Cup semifinal series with the Vegas Golden Knights.
It’s exactly what they did Wednesday night.
Carey Price made 29 saves and the Canadiens beat Vegas 3-2 to tie the series at a game apiece.
Price improved to 9-4 in the playoffs, his most victories in a postseason. He had eight in 2014.
Paul Byron, Joel Armia and Tyler Toffoli scored for Montreal, with Bryon making it 3-0 with 2:45 left in the second period.
Alex Pietrangelo scored twice for Vegas, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 20 saves.
Abandoning the rugged approach they took in Game 1, the Canadiens looked more like the team that reeled off seven straight wins in the first and second rounds, dominating in all three zones in the first 20 minutes.
“We showed some good composure,” Montreal coach Dominique Ducharme said. “At one point we felt the pressure, they were trying to come back. Overall, we showed pretty good composure. I think we can still do a better job. We wanted to support the puck better. I think we did that tonight and it paid off. I think we still can be better on a few occasions managing the puck and we’ll do that.”
Game 3 is Friday night in Montreal.
Montreal, which improved to 6-2 on the road in the postseason, has won 21 straight playoff games when scoring three or more goals.
“Can’t go down 2-0 and expect to win,” Vegas captain Mark Stone said. “These guys play a good team game when they get the lead. We gotta do a better job with our starts and we gotta find our preparation.”
With Vegas missing topline center Chandler Stephenson,and third-line center Nick Roy skating in his place, Montreal opened the game with a first-period advantage in shots-on-goal, shot attempts and high-danger chances.