There are a plethora of intriguing storylines at play in Game 3 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
We’re approaching do-or-die time for the Montreal Canadiens who head back to the Bell Centre 2-0 down in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, while the Tampa Bay Lightning are now just two wins away from repeating as cup champions.
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All is going to plan for the Lightning so far who dominated the Habs in Game 1, while they had Andrei Vasilevskiy to thank for their win in Game 2 with the goalie standing on his head with a stellar 42-game performance.
The Canadiens, on the other hand, played more like the team that has enjoyed so much postseason success in Game 2, but coming up against a red hot goalie coupled with a couple of costly mistakes proved to be their downfall.
They will enter Game 3 with plenty to be positive about, however, given that Head Coach Dominique Ducharme is back after testing positive for COVID-19 on June 18, and his influence behind the bench will be welcome.
Secondly, being back at Bell Centre will be special for these Montreal players, even if the building won’t be at full capacity. Those fans lucky enough to have tickets will make more than enough noise to ensure a special atmosphere is created, and there will be plenty of emotion given that this is the Canadiens’ first home Stanley Cup Final game since 1993.
And, on that note, let’s take a look at the biggest talking points that will take center stage throughout Game 3…
3 most intriguing storylines to watch in Game 3 of 2021 Stanley Cup Final
3. History in the air
Tonight’s Game 3 marks the first-ever time that a Stanley Cup Playoff game has been played in the month of July, and that is cause enough to celebrate.
However, that isn’t the only slice of history given that the Canadiens are getting ready for their first home Stanley Cup Final game since 1993, which was also the last time they lifted Lord Stanley.
And, on a side note, there’s a good but weird omen at play in that the Phoenix Suns are now in the NBA Finals. Why is that significant?
Well, the last time the Suns appeared in the NBA Finals in 1993, the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. Talk about symmetry.
Anyway, tonight will be one to remember for Habs fans and it will be a night to cherish given how long this franchise has mired in hockey obscurity, and a win to really make this a series would make it even better.