Post Game Report: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

By: Luke Finlay

 

Overview:

The Tampa Bay Lightning went to the Bell Centre to square off against the Montreal Canadians for their 2nd straight game in Canada after the victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs with the final score being 2-0. Lets see how this match up played out.

 

1ST PERIOD:

The Montreal Canadiens came out hot and fast as expected by their fans. It took the Lightning a little by surprise as the Canadiens start off with a couple scoring chances. The Lightning didn’t have as many chances as the Canadiens, but their best opportunity came when Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov went on a 2 on 1, with Kucherov missing a wide open grade A chance to go up 1-0. The Lightning eventually draw 2 penalties, however they fail to convert on their first. The Lightning will start off the 2nd period on their 2nd power play of the night. Even though the Canadiens committed 2 penalties it was a very well controlled period by them as they kept the Bolts on their heels at all times. The Lightning lead 11-10 in shots and look to capitalize as they open the second period on a power play.

Shots: 11-10 Canadiens

Score: 0-0

2ND PERIOD:

This was a very entertaining period to watch as a hockey fan. The pace was good, and both teams were putting in substantial effort. In the first 5 minutes, Pacioretty snipes one past Andrei Vasilevskiy to put the Canadiens up 1-0. However, shortly after Nikita Kucherov gets one of his own as he snipes one past Carey Price to make the game tied, and to also put himself tied with only Alexander Ovechkin for most goals at 26. Not to mention Andrei Vasilevskiy was nothing short of sensational. The Canadiens had their fair share of odd-man rushes and they were all led to rest by Vasilevskiy. One in fact you’ll see on highlight reels to come (hopefully). No penalties called against both teams, so no teams had their chance with the extra man. Shots are 25-24 in the favor of the Canadians.

Goals:

Montreal: 

Max Pacioretty: 8 goals on the season; UNASSISTED 

Tampa:

Nikita Kucherov: 26th on the season; Steven Stamkos (33 assists; 50 points); Victor Hedman (26 assists; 30 points)

 

3RD PERIOD:

This was perhaps the most entertaining period of the game. A lot of back and forth action here yet no one converts as we head into overtime. The pace was fantastic and everything had both teams on their heels. You could’ve labeled this a playoff game and I would’ve believed you.

 

OVERTIME:

What a stop by Carey Price. That’s all I have to say. Carey Price makes two phenomenal stops on Tyler Johnson and then Ondrej Palat, yet the second save had the game on the line. Ondrej Palat had a wide open net to shoot at, yet Price denies it as we head into the shootout.

SHOOTOUT:

The first up for the Montreal Canadians is Paul Byron and he converts. That would be the first penalty shot allowed by Andrei Vasilevskiy all year and that’s where the game would be decided. Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, and Steven Stamkos in that order would all be denied by Carey Price in the shootout. Neither Johnathan Drouin nor Max Pacioretty would convert, yet it wouldn’t matter as the Canadians would win the game in the shootout with the final score being 2-1.

SHOTS:

45-38 Tampa Bay