How Montreal Pressured Penguins, and the Pens Solution

On Monday, Montreal Canadiens center Max Domi decided to join the team so Montreal will face the Pittsburgh Penguins at full strength. The Penguins won two of three games against Montreal this season, but Montreal was 1-1-1 against the Penguins, and in fact, held a lead for a majority of the games against the Penguins in which they won and tied.

The Penguins needed a third period rally and a late tying goal to force overtime and eventually a win over Montreal on Jan. 4. It was the most contested game between the two teams, as the Penguins were a hot mess against Montreal in December, and Montreal was similarly bad against the Penguins in February.

But, that middle game was a battle that pushed both teams.

And in that push, Montreal showed how they can get to the Penguins and the inherent dangers of the Qualifying Round, should the Penguins be sloppy. Penguins assistant coach Mark Recchi chatted with part of the PHN family, Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, back in May.