Tonight’s Game Sponsored by RedBull

RedBull. Rockstar. Monster. Guru. Jolt. Re-load. Hype. Boom Boom.
Whatever gets these guys to keep pace down the stretch.
A little energy drink is like giving your car a boost with nitrous oxide – it makes you go faster, stronger, longer. But it also wrecks you in the process.
Then again, you should be pretty wrecked when you get to the finish line in the playoffs.
Mathieu Schneider – the 39-year old with the bum shoulder – threw a team high 4 hits. He also got 18:53 of ice-time. That’s asking a lot.
The playoffs usually is a time for veterans to shine, but it also should be an opportunity for the younger players to step up and make a name for themselves. Maxim Lapierre has been one of the only bright spots during a pretty dismal season, but he needs to do more than he did in Game 1.
1 hit? 1 shot? -1?
If we have any chance of winning, Lapierre, Kostopolous, and Latendresse need to make their presence felt tonight. They need to bring that energy drink energy to the ice. Skate, hit, skate, shoot. Skate, hit, skate, shoot.
Tomas Plekanec has to play more than 10:15 and have more to show than 2 penalties and a -1.
Georges Laraque has to play less than 13:12.
I’d start tonight’s game much like Game 1. Same lines, same game plan. Let Laraque throw a couple hits and make some room for Koivu and Kovalev. Midway through the first, however, Tanguay is going to have to take his spot on the wing if Montreal wants to generate any sustained offense.
Let the Lapierre line play a few extra shifts to keep the game physical. Skate, hit, skate, shoot.
Everyone has got to be ready to play three hard periods. Punishing periods.
And for that, Gainey better stock the dressing room with plenty of Red Bull.