Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme was not at the morning skate Friday due to irregularities with his COVID-19 test and may not be available to coach Game 3.
They can play that way still, but they’re winning in the Stanley Cup Playoffs again because they know how to lock it down and rely on defense and goaltending.
It’s difficult enough to score against Vasilevskiy, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy voted as the top goalie in the NHL, but the Islanders have to get more shots past the Lightning defense and to the front of the net to create more scoring chances.
Lightning defensemen Erik Cernak and Jan Rutta each sustained “some stingers” in the third period but are expected to be able to play Game 4 scheduled Saturday, according to coach Jon Cooper.
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