Playoff Diaries: June 13, 2021

The Vegas Golden Knights are making their final preparations for the series opener of the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday at 6 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena.
As is the case with any playoff series, storylines are swirling around both teams as Vegas and Montreal gear up to meet in the playoffs for the first time.

SUNDAY PRACTICE
The Golden Knights held a full team practice on Sunday at City National Arena. Alec Martinez, who had only participated in games thus far in the playoffs, was out there for practice and was a full participant. Tomas Nosek, who has not played since Game 2 against Minnesota, was also a full participant in practice and was dubbed a "game-time decision" by head coach Pete DeBoer for Game 1 against Montreal.
PLAYOFF PACIORETTY
Through more than 100 years of history, the Montreal Canadiens have only faced a former captain in the playoffs one time when they defeated Doug Harvey and the St. Louis Blues in the 1968 Stanley Cup Final. Montreal will face former captain Max Pacioretty in this series to mark the second such instance in franchise history.
Pacioretty was drafted 22nd overall by Montreal in 2007 and spent 10 seasons with the Canadiens with four trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 38 postseason games as a Canadien, Pacioretty notched 19 points (10G, 9A) and had two game-winning goals. He posted 11 points (5G, 6A) in 17 games during Montreal's run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2014.
In three postseasons with the Golden Knights, Pacioretty has hit new heights with 27 points (14G, 13A) in just 30 games. He has five game-winning goals in the playoffs since arriving in Vegas including three game-winners in seven games in 2021.
GOLDEN QUEBECOIS FACE HOMETOWN TEAM
Marc-Andre Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, William Carrier and Nicolas Roy are all natives of Quebec and grew up watching the Montreal Canadiens. Only Fleury and Marchessault were alive when Montreal last won the Stanley Cup in 1993 when the Habs defeated Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings for their 24th championship. The four French-speaking Golden Knights shared their thoughts on facing their hometown team ahead of Game 1.
Fleury: I was always a big fan of Montreal growing up. Throughout my career, I'd always keep track of how they're doing. They have such a huge history behind that team, and they've won many times before. I'm sure it's nice for them to have guys like Bob Gainey coming back and talking to them. The game is still played on the ice with the guys in the locker room. It doesn't matter if you have 24 Cups or none; I think you have to play the game in the moment, be ready for that moment and try to win the game. You don't think about the future or about the past.
Marchessault: I grew up watching that team and I have a lot of fond memories from watching them. It's exciting for me, but also last round was the Avalanche and they're the old Quebec Nordiques so that was special for me as well. I think it's going to be a similar situation.
Roy: Mostly we were watching Canadiens games as a family. I wasn't born for that 1993 run but I've heard about it, I've seen videos and it was pretty special. Right now, we're just trying to do our thing, focus on us and get this thing going.
Carrier: I've got a lot of text messages from friends. It's going to be special playing Montreal. That's where I grew up. At the end of the day, we've got a job to do, and we've got to go through them. We've got to come out hard and be prepared to play. We're expecting a good series from both teams.
HIGH PRAISE FOR STEPHENSON
Chandler Stephenson has spent the bulk of his time in Vegas on a line with Mark Stone and Pacioretty. Before being acquired by the Golden Knights on Dec. 3, 2019, Stephenson occupied a depth role with the Washington Capitals. He helped them defeat the Golden Knights in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final and brought winning experience with him to Vegas. Pacioretty had nothing but praise for Stephenson as the duo prepares for its second postseason together.
Pacioretty: I don't think there's a single physical skill on the team that he doesn't do the best. He's the fastest guy on the team, his shot is unbelievable, his hands are great, he's got really good poise and vision. He does it all. Despite his role in Washington, as soon as he came in here, he had the confidence that he knew he could not only be a top-six player but be one of the best centers in the league on one of the better lines. He's a really big treat to play with. He skates all over the ice and he makes life very easy on myself and Stone.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Vegas and Montreal get the series started Monday at 6 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. Catch the action on NBCSN, FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 and Deportes Vegas 1460. Stay tuned for the Morning Skate Report coming to VGK social channels on Monday morning.