BROSSARD, Que. -- Those impatient for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada will have just one team to root for in the NHL playoffs -- the Montreal Canadiens. For the first time since 1973, only one Canadian team has qualified for the NHL post-season. The Canadiens will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round, with only home ice advantage to be decided in the final regular-season games on the weekend. Defenceman Josh Gorges said Friday he expects a lot of attention, but it will be no more pressure than what the team deals with every day of the season. "There may be more eyes within Canada watching our games," the Kelowna, B.C. native said. "In Canada, they have their loyalties to their local teams, but come playoff time, youve watched when Vancouver was in the Cup (final) a few years ago. "Calgary, Edmonton, the same thing. The whole country rallies around because they want to see a Stanley Cup come back to Canada. But I dont think it adds anything. Theres enough pressure just because of what were trying to accomplish." In 1973, the Canadiens were the lone Canadian playoff team and they won the Cup. They are also the last Canadian team to win a Cup in 1993. They are widely considered to be long shots to go more than a round or two this time, even though theyve had an excellent season, have Canadian Olympic gold medallist Carey Price in goal, and got a major boost at the trade deadline in scoring winger Thomas Vanek. Last season, four Canadian teams made the playoffs. Only two made it in the two seasons before that. It seems odd that clubs with such enthusiastic fans and which sell out every game have so much trouble finishing in the top eight in their conferences. But Gorges said the added attention may be what makes it so difficult. "Its a little bit strange, but at the same time, its not easy playing in Canadian markets," he said. "On a lot of teams in the States, theres nothing more to it than going out and playing the game and getting the two points, whereas a lot of times in Canada, you cant escape hockey. "No matter where you go, theres added, outside things that affect your performance. I think weve done a good job here of trying to find that balance, but that could, maybe, be a reason why some Canadian teams havent been in there." The Canadiens have reached the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons, missing in 2012. Their best season since 1993 was in 2010 when they reached the Eastern Conference final. The Vancouver Canucks saw a run of five straight trips to the post-season end this season. "Going into the season, you look at all the Canadian teams and youd think most of them would be contending," said Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher. "For us, being the only one, well probably have some of Canada on our side. "Some of them will still hate us, but it doesnt change what we do and how we have to prepare." The second-year forwards only playoff experience was in an all-Canadian series last spring, when Montreal was beaten in five games by the Ottawa Senators. "Theres so much expectation for Canadian teams to compete because the fans are so passionate and they care so much," said Gallagher, an Edmonton native. "Every fan base in Canada expects their team to be in the playoffs every year. "Im sure next year it will be different, but for us, it doesnt change anything. Were happy to be where we are and want to take advantage of it." While having only one team is rare, its an improvement on 1970, when no Canadian teams made it. Bobby Orrs Boston Bruins beat St. Louis in the final that year. The Canadiens, who are 0-for-20 on the power play in their last seven games, worked mostly on special teams going into their regular season finale Saturday night at home against the New York Rangers. The Canadiens hope a win coupled with a Tampa Bay loss will let them start the playoffs at home, but they dont seem to be sweating it one way or the other. "If its us or Tampa Bay that has home ice advantage, we dont know," said coach Michel Therrien. "But I can predict what the answers will be when we know on Sunday night: The team that has it will be really happy and the team that doesnt will say it doesnt matter." Forward Lars Eller didnt skate and it likely to miss a third game with a flu. Winger Brandon Prust is also out with an upper body injury. Therrien expects him to be ready for the playoffs but cautioned "were not quite sure yet." Forward Travis Moen, out eight games with a concussion, is also a question mark. Winger Michael Blunden was recalled from AHL Hamilton. The Canadiens announced that captain Brian Gionta edged out Gallagher for the Jacques Beauchamp Trophy as the teams unsung hero in voting by the local media. The two-way right winger has played 80 games this season after missing a large part of the last two campaigns with biceps injuries. "From the outside looking in, fans may not realize how important he is," Gorges said of Gionta. "Its not always about how many points you get, its what you do to help the team win games." 17:39ET 11-04-14 Clearance Soccer Jerseys . Jets head coach Paul Maurice made the announcement Saturday following the morning skate and confirmed Al Montoya will start in goal against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . Louis Cardinals have agreed to a one-year contract. Fake Soccer Jerseys . -- Packers cornerback Tramon Williams has been fined $26,250 for contact with an official, per NFL guidelines.From the standpoint of having LeBron James and Kyrie Irving already in Cleveland, the Cavaliers are looking at accelerating their chances of winning a championship. Look at the Eastern Conference landscape right now. Paul George is sidelined for the long term with the Indiana Pacers. Even with Pau Gasol in the mix, there are still some questions surrounding a healthy Derrick Rose in Chicago. And of course, LeBron left Miami. Now Im sure LeBron made it very clear to Cavs owner Dan Gilbert what his specific intentions were in coming back to Cleveland. And I think we can all agree that his supporting cast in previous Cavs campaigns were relatively inferior. But despite that knock, LeBron did a remarkable job on the court. But now when youre bringing him back at age 30 - right in the prime of his career - why wouldnt you go for it? At the end of the day, theres no guarantees. You look at a guy like LeBron signing a short-term deal in Cleveland and thats obviously cap-related. But this is a team that basically said, just go for it. Theres an opportunity for the Cavs - in the Eastern Conference right now - to get back into the NBA Finals. From Clevelands perspective, it makes sense as long as that firm agreement over a long-term deeal with Kevin Love holds up.dddddddddddd And that appears to be the case - otherwise, the Cavs wouldnt swing this deal. Now this doesnt make the Cavaliers the best team in the NBA, but it does put them slightly ahead of Chicago right now (once again, Derrick Rose is the x-factor there). And there will be a learning curve with the Cavs. They have a new head coach in David Blatt who had lengthy coaching stints overseas, so theres going to be some adjustments. This deal will make them the team to beat in the conference, but the better teams are still out West. For Minnesota, theyre getting two really talented kids. Anthony Bennett is in much better shape now - he had an excellent summer league experience and I think hes really going to blossom in Minnesota. And Wiggins will be a much bigger piece of the puzzle in Minnesota than he would have been with LeBron James in Cleveland. And Minnesota is a good environment for young players to play in. Flip Saunders is a good coach and has great support in former Raptors coach and TSN basketball analyst Sam Mitchell. They will bring plenty of accountability and discipline. I dont know how well theyll do in a difficult Western Conference, but I do believe its a win-win for both sides. ' ' '