Canadiens, Lightning Gear Up For Game One Of The Stanley Cup Final

More on the Montreal Canadiens — Stanley Cup Finalist

Those words above are just sinking in for most. The Montreal Canadiens will play tonight in the final round of a tournament that they have not done since 1993. Forget the “feels like 93” sentiment for a second and embrace this team of chance. This was a Montreal team given up on by many. They were down three games to one to Toronto. They were not picked by many experts to even get past round one.

Then they defied the odds in round two and then the Stanley Cup Semifinal for good measure. No matter what happens in this series versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal has done something amazing.

Montreal truly has zero to lose here. Yes, Joel Armia is likely out tonight barring something unexpected but Jake Evans may be in. That is great news if it does pan out. Montreal will need every bit of help they can muster against a team that they have not faced in over a year.

Simply, the Montreal Canadiens must play their game tonight. This run has been made more special because that is just what Dominique Ducharme, Luke Richardson, and Alexandre Burrows have instilled in Montreal.

Teams like this just do not come this way often. Embracing that infectious spirit is paramount. Montreal is the underdog Cinderella no doubt about it.

Make no mistake that they can play with Tampa Bay and can turn this into a long series. Perhaps, Montreal can win this best-of-seven. However, even if they do not, the Montreal Canadiens have proven that they more than belong.

They are the Montreal Canadiens — 2021 Stanley Cup Finalist.

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