Montreal Canadiens Tampa Bay Lightning Game Recap
The Montreal Canadiens took on their most challenging foe of the season thus far. They were able to show they belong along the Eastern Conference’s best by brushing aside the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 3-1 win.
The Montreal Canadiens extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Montreal has now started the 2016-17 season without losing in overtime in their first seven games.
The first period was fairly uneventful as Carey Price and Ben Bishop matched each other save for save. The game remained scoreless heading into the first intermission. The Canadiens certainly carried the play early, as the Lightning took eight minutes to record their first shot on goal.
The goaltending battle continued into the second period. With four minutes remaining in the second frame, the score still remained scoreless. However, Lightning winger Alex Killorn was able to tip a Victor Hedman point shot and it beat Price. The goal finally opened the scoring with just 3:52 to go in the second period.
The Canadiens were able to mount a comeback in the third period. Price misplayed a puck behind his net early in the third, but managed to scramble back just in time to make a great pad save and keep the game within one.
Canadiens mounted a comeback in the third period
Just over six minutes into the third, the Canadiens found themselves on the power play. Brendan Gallagher drew the penalty by driving to the Lightning net and battling for a loose puck. Lightning defender Nikita Nesterov didn’t like it and gave Gallagher a few right hand jabs after the whistle.
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The undisciplined play put the Lightning down a man. Alex Galchenyuk made them pay when he rifled home a one-timer that was set up by a brilliant cross ice pass from Andrei Markov. Jeff Petry picked up the second assist.
Max Pacioretty gave the Canadiens their first lead with 9:37 to play in the third. The goal was created by some great zone pressure from the Pacioretty, David Desharnais and Andrew Shaw line. After working the puck back to the point, Greg Pateryn bought some time for Pacioretty to get open and slid him the puck.
Pacioretty fired home a strong wrester from the high slot that beat Ben Bishop. It would prove to be the game’s winning goal.
The game remained at a 2-1 Habs advantage until the final moments. Torrey Mitchell made a solid defensive play to cause a turnover at the Habs blue line and muscled the puck to center before firing it into the empty net.
It appeared Shaw extended the lead to 4-1 with another empty net goal, but it was called back when he was thrown in the box for a phantom holding penalty. However, the Habs would hold on and win the game 3-1.
Price was solid all night, finishing the game with 30 saves on 31 shots. The only blemish coming on a great tip by Killorn than fooled the Canadiens goaltender.
The Canadiens are next in action when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
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