Music: {allcanada} Lineup changes could be coming for Canadiens

Monday, May 5, 2014

{allcanada} Lineup changes could be coming for Canadiens

BROSSARD, Quebec -- Montreal Canadiens coach Michel Therrien wouldn't confirm it, but it appears changes could be coming to his lineup for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Second Round series against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, RDS).

Defenseman Douglas Murray, who has yet to play in six games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, was skating on the Canadiens' third defense pair opposite Mike Weaver, while Francis Bouillon was on the fourth pair with Jarred Tinordi.

Murray, listed at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, would provide a more physical presence than Bouillon on the Canadiens defense, but Therrien refused to address any questions about his Game 3 lineup.

"I'm not talking about my lineup for [Tuesday] night," Therrien said. "You'll see [Tuesday] night."

Canadiens captain Brian Gionta spoke of how Murray could help wear down the big Bruins forwards.

"There's no secret what he brings," Gionta said. "He's a big body who can grind their forwards down low. Great on the penalty kill. He's big for this team."

Canadiens forward Rene Bourque, who leads the team with four goals in six playoff games, missed practice Monday with an illness and Therrien could not confirm he will play in Game 3.

"He's sick right now," he said, "so hopefully he'll be there [Tuesday]."

Daniel Briere skated in Bourque's spot on a line with Gionta and center Lars Eller on Monday, and Briere's spot at center of the fourth line was filled by Ryan White, who also has yet to play in the playoffs.

Travis Moen, who was scratched for Game 2 after returning from a concussion in Game 1, was playing left wing on that fourth line with White and Dale Weise. Michael Bournival was skating in Brandon Prust's spot at left wing on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher, leaving Prust to skate as an extra. That strongly suggests Prust may be left out of the lineup for Game 3, considering he wasn't on one of the four lines despite Bourque's absence.

"You'll find out my lineup at 7 o'clock [Tuesday]," Therrien ended his Monday press conference saying. "Be there."

Forward Alex Galchenyuk, who sustained a lower-body injury on April 9, skated for about 45 minutes prior to Canadiens practice on Monday, but he is not believed to be close to a return.

Here were the lines on Monday:

Max Pacioretty – David Desharnais – Thomas Vanek

Michael Bournival – Tomas Plekanec – Brendan Gallagher

Daniel Briere – Lars Eller – Brian Gionta

Travis Moen – Ryan White – Dale Weise

Josh Gorges – P.K. Subban

Andrei Markov – Alexei Emelin

Douglas Murray – Mike Weaver

Carey Price

Peter Budaj

Scratched: Francis Bouillon, Jarred Tinordi, Brandon Prust, George Parros

Injured: Alex Galchenyuk (lower body), Rene Bourque (illness)