Darren Dreger: Expect more compete and more energy when Vegas and Montreal face off
Third round, conference finals, semi-finals, whatever name one decides to use, it all means the same thing: win four games and you're playing for the Stanley Cup.
In the unique and never-before-seen 2021 NHL season, long-suffering Habs fans and short-suffering Knights fans get to see the never-before-seen, zero history, no baggage contest between the Montreal Canadiens and the Vegas Golden Knights.
The bleu-blanc-rouge versus the matte black-gold-red.
The former captain (no. 67) versus the former semi-regular third-line defenceman (if Jon Merrill even gets a call).
One of Quebec's finest goalies of the past almost two decades versus the finest goalie BC has ever produced.
TSN 690 analyst Darren Dreger, and anyone who watched the Knights storm back from two down to beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in the last round, knows things are about to get very different for Montreal, but he is not buying the American hockey fanbase and media that are calling for a stars and stripes decked out steamroller to take out Canada's lone representative in the final four with little effort.
"I have a lot of time for the Vegas Golden Knights, I have since the start of the season, but they're playing in the same league," said Dreger. "Of course the environment is different. Vegas home games are going to be absolutely electric, but why can't the Habs feed off that too."
When it comes down to hockey, Dreger sees the Habs' balance as up to the task against Vegas' depth.
"I think the Vegas Golden Knights perhaps have more depth up front, but I've seen enough from the young guys and the balance between the 30 somethings and 20 somethings to know that they're simply not going to roll over," he said. "I think it's going to be a heck of a series."
Dreger gives Vegas the edge, but thinks the series will go six or seven games.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.