Canadiens forward singled out for OT loss as Game 3 lineup change is expected

Canadiens forward singled out for OT loss as Game 3 lineup change is expected

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Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

A Montreal Canadiens forward has officially been singled out for the overtime loss against the Carolina Hurricanes.

And a lineup change is now expected for Game 3 Monday night at the Bell Centre.

Several analysts are pointing to Oliver Kapanen as the main player responsible for the difficult sequence that led to Nikolaj Ehlers’ overtime winner.”Kapanen doesn’t get the puck in deep.

Matheson and Dobson both heading for a change anticipating the chip into the Canes zone. Leads to all that open ice for Ehlers to walk in.

Defensive breakdowns away from their own zone cost the #GoHabsGo in OT.”

A terrible sequence for Kapanen.

Oliver Kapanen could be removed from the lineup to make room for Joe Veleno in Game 3

That’s what everyone is expecting!

“Poor turnover by Oliver Kapanen, and Nikolaj Ehlers takes advantage to play the hero against the Hurricanes.”

– Patrick Guillet

It was also a strange sequence to begin with.

“I don’t understand why Kapanen replaced Veleno in the Canadiens lineup… Can someone explain it to me?”

A question that perfectly sums up the frustration of many fans.

This is precisely the kind of turnover that gets punished in overtime during the playoffs.

Now it remains to be seen what final decision Martin St-Louis will make for the Game 3 lineup.

And whether Joe Veleno will indeed return to the lineup at the Bell Centre.

Puck drop is scheduled for Monday night.

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics

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Canadiens forward singled out for OT loss as Game 3 lineup change is expected

Do you think Martin St-Louis should remove Oliver Kapanen from the lineup and insert Joe Veleno?