GDT Round #1: Stanley Cup Playoffs - Game #7 - Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning - Sunday, May 3, 2026 @ 6:00PM EST

[GHT120]

6:00 p.m.

Game 7 experience is an important part of "learning to win" ... well here we are

 

 

                              

[GHT120]

 

And the debate begins ... who sits, Xhekaj or Struble ... or do they go 7D and sit Gallagher (less than half the TOI the 2nd least used forward last game) ?

 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

[xXx..CK..xXx]

In my opinion it’s hard to tell how well the blender is working. 
 

I’ve liked it in that Marty St. Louis is actually coaching throughout the game. On the other hand, separating the top trio hasn’t necessarily got them going, which seemed to be the goal for most people who suggested it. “Looked better”’ “more chances”. Sure, but still no goals. 

 

If we choose the 7d, 11f option, we’ll be sure to see a full blender for the final game of the series. If we go with the conventional 12 & 6, we may still see the blender but it’s not a guarantee and could be less.

 

I’m for the 12 & 6 option.

 

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovský

Anderson - Newhook - Demidov 
Texier - Dach - Bolduc

Evans - Danault - Gallagher 

Matheson - Dobson

Guhle - Hutson

Xhekaj - Carrier 

 

Dobeš

 

It won’t happen. Just my preference… Or something similar. 

[tomh009]

Given that Dobson is in (something that I thought unlikely!) I think your proposed D pairings are the most likely ones.

 

Forwards, it's anyone's guess.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

I hope Dobson is fit enough to be able to play at least his B+ game, as opposed to just trying to survive out there. I would venture to say that if Dobson had been healthy all series, with Tampa lacking Hedman, this thing would be over by now.

 

Both Struble and Arber have played well by their standards. I have more confidence in Struble, BUT Arber’s physicality has been a bona-fide factor in this series and he has played well enough that I’d pick him over Struble for Game 7.

 

In terms of the blender, I think MSL has earned the benefit of the doubt. He has taken on the top coach in the game and held his own.

 

Demidov and Cole need to build on their efforts from Game 6. I don’t know what more Suzuki can do - he drives every zone entry with his shiftiness, he’s battling every shift despite being relentlessly smothered and having no cross-seam passes available - but if he could bang one in tonight, I would take that a sign that the hockey gods are smiling upon us. 

 

 

 

 

[sbhatt]

Game 7.  There's no tomorrow, and no room for excuses.  Line 1: show us something.  We need goals, and while the secondary scoring has been good, it's time for our best offensive players from the regular season to be our best offensive players in the playoffs.  Powerplay: show us a new look, because the game of catch between Caufield and Suzuki on the left side is old and tired, and TBay defends it with ease.  Dobes: don't change a thing, you've been great.  Tampa Bay is good, and it was never going to be easy, but there are going to be serious questions about our 50 goal scorer if he fails to put a puck in the net in 6 out of 7 games.  Were you just snakebit for several games, or are you the guy Guerin was right about when he excluded you from 4 Nations and the Olympics, Cole Caufield?  Prove who you are tonight. 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

I wouldn’t doubt if Dobson starts with Struble/Xhekaj to see how he holds up to the speed and physicality 

 

If Dobson does well then Marty moves him to be with Matheson 🤷‍♂️

 

I've been buzzing since 5am with nervous energy - Suzuki line must make a difference tonight. A Demidov clinic would be amazing too

[GHT120]

14 hours ago, xXx..CK..xXx said:

I’m for the 12 & 6 option.

 

I'm not ... keeping the "Less than 6 Minute Man" in the lineup instead of a security blanket on defence is reckless.

[dlbalr]

It has been a while since we did a game preview but I tackled one (of sorts) for today: https://www.habsworld.net/2026/05/seven-keys-to-a-game-seven-victory/

 

Meanwhile, Dobson is listed as a game-time decision and will take the warmup.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

34 minutes ago, dlbalr said:

It has been a while since we did a game preview but I tackled one (of sorts) for today: https://www.habsworld.net/2026/05/seven-keys-to-a-game-seven-victory/

 

Meanwhile, Dobson is listed as a game-time decision and will take the warmup.

 

Good job as always, Brian 👍

[xXx..CK..xXx]

1 hour ago, GHT120 said:

 

I'm not ... keeping the "Less than 6 Minute Man" in the lineup instead of a security blanket on defence is reckless.

Nah, that’s just your preconceived notion. It’s definitely not reckless to keep Gallagher in the lineup. 
 

Go Habs Go!

Go Gally Go! 

[xXx..CK..xXx]

3 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

I hope Dobson is fit enough to be able to play at least his B+ game, as opposed to just trying to survive out there. I would venture to say that if Dobson had been healthy all series, with Tampa lacking Hedman, this thing would be over by now.

 

Both Struble and Arber have played well by their standards. I have more confidence in Struble, BUT Arber’s physicality has been a bona-fide factor in this series and he has played well enough that I’d pick him over Struble for Game 7.

 

In terms of the blender, I think MSL has earned the benefit of the doubt. He has taken on the top coach in the game and held his own.

 

Demidov and Cole need to build on their efforts from Game 6. I don’t know what more Suzuki can do - he drives every zone entry with his shiftiness, he’s battling every shift despite being relentlessly smothered and having no cross-seam passes available - but if he could bang one in tonight, I would take that a sign that the hockey gods are smiling upon us. 

 

 

 

 

I like the Blender to an extent but all I mean is that it hasn’t helped get the top guys going offfensively which while not necessarily his intention, was much of the reason fans wanted Slafkovksý moved to the second line.
 

Suzuki has been decent but I wouldn’t say he’s been any more decent than when the top line was intact. I’m all for double shifting him even if we do have a conventional top line. Honestly, we need even a little more from him. He’s a passer and that’s fine but he hasn’t had a shot on goal in either of the last two games, since the blender went into effect. 

[GHT120]

Just now, xXx..CK..xXx said:

Nah, that’s just your preconceived notion. It’s definitely not reckless to keep Gallagher in the game. 
 

Go Habs Go!

Go Gally Go! 

It's not Gallagher playing that I consider reckless ... it is the risk that Dobson may not be able to handle "live action" ... with the way MSL has been re-mixing the lines in-game I just see the insurance on the back-end as more important than Gallagher (who only played 6:48 in his comeback game, and 5:39 last game) ... as has been noted by many, Matheson seems to make more errors the more is asked of him; the most pleasant surprise this far has been Struble (11:43) and Xhekaj (10:07 being effective as a third pairing ... but opinions are like user-names, everyone has one and is entitled to it.

[GHT120]

Finally something useful and honest from HockeyBuzz

[xXx..CK..xXx]

This is not a jinx. This is bringing this energy into this thread:

 

[xXx..CK..xXx]

43 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

It's not Gallagher playing that I consider reckless ... it is the risk that Dobson may not be able to handle "live action" ... with the way MSL has been re-mixing the lines in-game I just see the insurance on the back-end as more important than Gallagher (who only played 6:48 in his comeback game, and 5:39 last game) ... as has been noted by many, Matheson seems to make more errors the more is asked of him; the most pleasant surprise this far has been Struble (11:43) and Xhekaj (10:07 being effective as a third pairing ... but opinions are like user-names, everyone has one and is entitled to it.

Yes, but that’s what I meant by preconceived notion. 

1) You didn’t want Gallagher playing

2) You didn’t think Dobson would play this series

 

Dobson is definitely not 100% but he’s also not so injured that it’s an actual liability for him to play if he plays.

 

If he doesn’t play, he doesn’t play. If he does play, the Habs aren’t doing so because they are being reckless. He’s playing because he is able to. 

[Commandant]

4 hours ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

I hope Dobson is fit enough to be able to play at least his B+ game, as opposed to just trying to survive out there. I would venture to say that if Dobson had been healthy all series, with Tampa lacking Hedman, this thing would be over by now.

 

Both Struble and Arber have played well by their standards. I have more confidence in Struble, BUT Arber’s physicality has been a bona-fide factor in this series and he has played well enough that I’d pick him over Struble for Game 7.

 

In terms of the blender, I think MSL has earned the benefit of the doubt. He has taken on the top coach in the game and held his own.

 

Demidov and Cole need to build on their efforts from Game 6. I don’t know what more Suzuki can do - he drives every zone entry with his shiftiness, he’s battling every shift despite being relentlessly smothered and having no cross-seam passes available - but if he could bang one in tonight, I would take that a sign that the hockey gods are smiling upon us. 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting chances is the best predictor of future goals... so we should be encouraged by them generating more chances after the blender.

 

Plus MSL's moved re Dach, Gallagher have paid off.

[GHT120]

16 minutes ago, xXx..CK..xXx said:

Yes, but that’s what I meant by preconceived notion. 

1) You didn’t want Gallagher playing

2) You didn’t think Dobson would play this series

 

Dobson is definitely not 100% but he’s also not so injured that it’s an actual liability for him to play if he plays.

 

If he doesn’t play, he doesn’t play. If he does play, the Habs aren’t doing so because they are being reckless. He’s playing because he is able to. 

 

I didn't know if he would play (different than think) and didn't want to assume he would ... I also never said the Habs would be reckless to let him play ... but tonight it isn't just a question of how well he can play but that he could aggravate the injury and be unable to play ... I prefer to have 7D as insurance in case the worst case scenario occurs.

 

While we disagree on Gallagher, we can agree on Go Habs Go

[xXx..CK..xXx]

I’m still just not sure it’s true for the top line when it comes to producing chances the first 4 games versus the last 2 when the blender came out.

 

Suzuki:

 

 

Highest total was game 4, right before the blender.

Caufield:

 

 

He did look more dangerous last game, but he also scored in game 4, right before the blender.

Juraj:

 

 

His first 4 games weren’t so bad.

 

I agree that I like the move he made combining Bolduc, Dach, and Texier because they went from borderline scratchable to our most dominant line, and I also love the addition of Gally to the lineup.

 

Splitting up the top line has been far from a failed experiment, I’m just not sure I wouldn’t have them more together in a 1 game winner take all scenario. I do trust St. Louis to lead this group and last game we did have chances as a team overall, despite not scoring. 

[xXx..CK..xXx]

Some stats from the regular season when it comes to 5 on 5 expected goals for amongst what looks like forwards. It’s unfortunate that Kapanen couldn’t translate that to the playoffs but Gallagher had similar production and did help us immediately when he joined the lineup. Dach has also majorly stepped up as well. Otherwise, he would have been the one I would have wanted to remove from the lineup over Kapanen. Not complaining though. I’m firmly aboard the Dach train now.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

 

He must be in poor conditioning to join this war

[huzer]

2 hours ago, GHT120 said:

Finally something useful and honest from HockeyBuzz

 

How are the Lightning 2nd in the East and the Habs 7th? Neither is correct.

 

Anyway, GO HABS GO!!!!!!

 

[GHT120]

11 minutes ago, huzer said:

 

How are the Lightning 2nd in the East and the Habs 7th? Neither is correct.

 

Anyway, GO HABS GO!!!!!!

 

Have to admit, I didn't read the fine print

[DON]

Game 7, FUN!