Canadiens scratch Kotkaniemi, make other lineup changes for Game 4

The Montreal Canadiens pulled out all the stops for their do-or-die Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night.

Head coach Dominique Ducharme scratched pivot Jesperi Kotkaniemi in favor of Jake Evans. Additionally, Alexander Romanov and Brett Kulak drew into the lineup on defense for Erik Gustafsson and Jon Merrill.

The Canadiens also promoted Tyler Toffoli to the top line and bumped up Josh Anderson to the second line.

Kotkaniemi, the 2018 third overall pick, has recorded five goals and three assists in 19 games this postseason. However, he's scored just once in his last 12 contests.

"It's nothing against (Kotkaniemi) or anything else, but we have depth and we have options," Ducharme said, according to TSN's John Lu.

"Again, it's not punishment ... sometimes as a hockey player you face these moments," Ducharme added. "He's a good team guy and understands the situation even though nobody wants to sit."

Evans morphed into a lineup fixture until suffering a concussion on a hit by Mark Scheifele during Round 2. He's skated in just one game since then.

Meanwhile, Romanov and Kulak have skated in two and 11 games, respectively, in these playoffs.