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Maple Leafs vs Habs, Game 1 Analysis: Who Is Playing And Why

By William Cann

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 13: Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens fights Wayne Simmonds #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 13: Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens fights Wayne Simmonds #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 02: Head coach of the Montreal Canadiens Dominique Ducharme speaks with Phillip Danault #24 of the Montreal Canadiens  . (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 02: Head coach of the Montreal Canadiens Dominique Ducharme speaks with Phillip Danault #24 of the Montreal Canadiens  . (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Canadiens: Game 1 Lineup

Toffoli-Suzuki-Armia                                  Edmundson-Petry                      Price-Allen

Tatar-Danault-Gallagher                           Merril-Weber

Perry-Stall-Anderson                                 Kulak-Chiarot

Lehkonen-Evans-Byron

Notable Extras:  Caufield (F), Kotkaniemi (F), Frolik (F), Romanov (D), Gustafsson (D), Ouellet (D), Primeau (G).

Jonathan Drouin is still on personal leave and doubtful for the series.  There is plenty of drama here when looking at which players Ducharme is not dressing for game 1.  Habs fans are not happy about a few of these choices, and as a Leaf fan, I’m sure my take on this will be plenty controversial.

Let’s start with the hot ticket in Montreal right now, Cole Caufield.  There is no question that this kid has a superb amount of talent.  He’s an elite skater with an elite shot, and he’s a really special player when he gets some time and space.  The problem?  There won’t be any time and space.

Caufield is known as a goal scorer and his 4 goals in 10 games was an impressive NHL debut.  It pains me to do this to Habs fans, but 2 of his 4 goals were scored in 3 on 3 OT.  Scoring a couple of cool goals during “pond hockey” is not going to get you on the playoff roster.

That being said, I do believe that he will play in the series.  He just won’t play in Toronto.  Ducharme is smart, he will play the kid in Montreal when he has the last line change.  That way he can keep him away from Toronto’s top 6 and get him some PP time.  He could be a difference maker if he can be sheltered properly.

Now to the decision that I absolutely do not understand one bit.  Staal in for Kotkaniemi.  What?  And for those of you that are saying Evans is in for Kotkaniemi, uh no way, Evans is a 4th liner and a pretty good one.  Kotkaniemi was the Habs #1 center at one point.  Then he was the #2 center.  Then he played some #3 center.  He even played some wing late in the season.  I’m confused.

I’m not even going to bother posting their stats.  It’s not even close.  Not only is Kotkaniemi better offensively, but he’s better defensively, and he’s more physical, and he’s faster, and he’s also part of the young core that the Habs are building around.  Or is he?  Hence the confusion on my part.  Frankly, compared to all of that, Eric Stall is horrible, and he’s a rental.  I think this decision could cost the Habs a chance at the series.

The other controversial choice for game one comes on defense.  John Merril is playing instead of Alexader Romanov.  I get the whole “experience” thing, and I know the Leafs are doing some of it too, but Romanov is one of the few defenseman on this entire roster that can actually skate.  I mean, they gave the other guy away for nothing (Victor Mete).

I know the Habs really believe that out-muscling the Leafs is probably their best shot at winning, but you need to be able to move around the rink.  With skates on.  Faster than my grandmother.

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