Oliver Kapanen out of Canadiens lineup for Game 3 vs. Hurricanes

Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes is set for Monday night. The Eastern Conference Finals heads to Montreal with the series tied, after the Hurricanes took a 3-2 overtime victory over Montreal in Game 2.

While it was a solid game for the Canadiens, coach Martin St. Louis is making a lineup change, according to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman.

“Martin St Louis confirms Oliver Kapanen won’t play tonight,” Friedman posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Kapanen has not been good in the playoffs so far. He has played in just seven games, with a minus-two plus/minus rating. He is also only averaging just 8:20 of ice time, while he has not had a point in the playoffs so far. The forward played in four games of the first round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, before only playing Game 7 of the series against the Buffalo Sabres. He has played in both games so far and has not registered a shot on goal, while having a minus-two rating in two games.

Joe Veleno will be taking the spot of Kapanen in the lineup. He has not played since Game 6 of the series against the Buffalo Sabres. So far in the playoffs, he has averaged 9:40 of ice time while having an assist. St. Louis spoke about why the change is taking place, according to Sportnet.

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