2021 Stanley Cup Final: 3 Reasons why the Montreal Canadiens can win Game 4 to stay alive

1. Time For Vintage Price

We outlined it here and it has been said in a thousand other places, but Carey Price has to be at the peak of his powers for the Montreal Canadiens tonight. If he’s not, then it is game over. Period.

Many experts had the Conn Smythe Trophy on its way to Price before the 2021 Stanley Cup Final even started given just how outstanding he was through the first three rounds of the Playoffs, with his performance in the semifinals against the Vegas Golden Knights in particular just breathtaking.

There were some questions as to whether or not the six time All-Star had left his best days behind him given that he endured a below-average regular season, but he reminded everyone of why he is one of the finest goalies of his generation come Playoffs time.

However, all of that magic has disappeared in this series with Price being shelled, allowing 13 goals on 79 shots for a 4.39 Goals Against Average and an .835 Save Percentage.

That just isn’t going to get the job done.

He has been outshone by Andrei Vasilevskiy who has been brilliant between the pipes for the Lightning, and the Canadiens have no chance of forcing a Game 5 and heading back to Tampa unless Price gets back to what he was, stands on his head and wins Game 4 on his own.

Granted, the defense has to do a much better job of protecting their goalie and ensuring that he can see through traffic and screens, but it is on Price to play at a much higher level than he has over the last three games.

If he can and delivers the kind of jaw-dropping, game-winning performance we’ve all been waiting for in the Final, then the champagne may have to be put on ice for the Bolts for at least another couple of days and the Canadiens can look forward to a Game 5.