Ducharme Talks Sitting Kotkaniemi, Canadiens Likely Game 5 Lineup

After a win the keep the Stanley Cup Final series alive, the Montreal Canadiens have a decision to make. Do they roll with the same roster that won Game 4 in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lighting? Or, do they switch things up and get some fresh legs in the lineup, including young forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi?

Head coach Dominique Ducharme was asked that question during a media avail on Tuesday and hinted he plans to stick with what’s working. While he did leave it open for things to change based on a surprise — we assumed he meant an injury or illness — he liked what he saw from his group during their first elimination game in the series.

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“There’s a good chance we’re going to be going back with the same lineup,” he said. He added that no one should be surprised if we see the same guys on Wednesday night. Essentially, what Ducharme is going is favoring sound two-way play and going with a little more defense over offense to avoid costly mistakes. This is likely why Jesperi Kotkaniemi might not see another game in this series.

Ducharme is putting Jake Evans with Paul Byron and Artturi Lehkonen and likely using them as a shutdown line. He’s giving time to veterans like Corey Perry and Eric Staal and he’s moving Tyler Toffoli over with Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher for offence, focusing on a well-rounder roster that can be responsible in their own end. The reason a player like Cole Caufield gets time with Josh Anderson and Nick Suzuki is because they are among the team’s best offensive producers.

Nothing Against Koktaniemi, Says Coach

It’s not as though Kotkaniemi has been bad. He’s got five goals and eight points in 19 playoff games. This is just a lineup Ducharme feels more comfortable with. “It’s nothing against (Kotkaniemi) or anything else, but we have depth and we have options,” Ducharme said, according to TSN’s John Lu.

When you’re back is up against the wall and any one loss means the end of the season and disappointment that the team couldn’t win the league’s biggest prize, tough decisions have to be made. “Again, it’s not punishment… sometimes as a hockey player you face these moments,” Ducharme added. “He’s a good team guy and understands the situation even though nobody wants to sit.”

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