Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme back for Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/2/21

The Montreal Canadiens got huge boost Friday night as head coach Dominique Ducharme returned to the bench for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at Bell Centre.

Ducharme was in isolation for 14 days after testing positive for COVID-19. His positive result came after Game 2 of Montreal's third-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 48-year-old was excited to return to the bench despite his team being down 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning heading into the game.

Ducharme: "I don’t think the last two weeks changes what it means to me. That’s everyone’s dream, to be playing or being involved in a Stanley Cup Final. I’m just so happy to be back."
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) July 2, 2021

Assistant Luke Richardson took over head coaching duties while Ducharme was sidelined and guided the Habs to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1993.

Ducharme replaced Claude Julien as head coach of the Canadiens midseason and has exceeded expectations.

Ducharme's return didn't seem to have an effect on the Habs, as they lost 6-3. The Lightning are now one win away from winning the Stanley Cup for the second straight season. Game 4 is Monday night at 8 p.m. ET.

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