TAMPA, Fla. – For the second time in 12 days, the Lightning taught the Montreal Canadiens a lesson.
Brayden Point scored two goals Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves and the Lightning de Tampa Bay defeated Montreal 4-1 on Wednesday at Amalie Arena.
The Lightning defeated the Canadiens 5-1 at the Bell Center just under two weeks ago.
If the Canadian wants to become a team that aspires to great honors year following year like the Lightning, the work is far from over.
“It’s a tough team to play once morest,” said Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis. Suzy (Nick Suzuki) played Point and (Nikita) Kucherov the entire game. It’s a line that doesn’t give the puck much. It is a difficult task.
“That’s how you learn. It’s a good experience for our players. This is (the Lightning) is a good example to follow and we will continue to try to get to that level. »
The Canadiens have scored more than two goals just once in their last nine games, going 2-6-1 over that streak.
The power play of the Canadian, who is languishing in last place in the NHL, was 0-for-5.
“A power play that works will give confidence to important players and it will translate to five once morest five, mentioned St-Louis. The performance of our key players is currently affected by the performance of our power play. We will continue to work to seek answers. »
Kaiden Guhle deprived Vasilevskiy of his first shutout this season by scoring late in the third period. Jake Allen stopped 33 shots in front of the Canadian net (15-17-3), who suffered a third loss in a row (0-2-1).
Alex Killorn et Brandon Hagel also scored for the Lightning (21-11-1). Victor Hedman picked up two assists.
Recalled the day before the Laval Rocket, Justin Barron was in uniform for the Canadiens, who therefore had five rookies on the blue line. Chris Wideman was left out.
The Canadian will play once more on Thursday, when he visits the Florida Panthers.
Notes to take for the CH
The meeting started badly for the Canadian. Killorn put the Lightning in the scoring just 1:55 into the game, taking advantage of a nice throw-in from Victor Hedman.
The first period was the Lightning affair. Allen kept the Canadian in the game for long periods of time, notably frustrating Hagel during an outnumbered attack.
Allen, however, was helpless on a Point one-timer on the power play, with 5:51 to go in the faceoff.
The Canadian finally knocked on the door late in the first period, during a power play. Vasilevskiy, however, frustrated Cole Caufield.
Barron showed up early in the second period, going from there with a nice climb in the opposing zone. However, he came up once morest Vasilevskiy.
The Canadian got another great opportunity to score when Christian Dvorak made a cross pass to Josh Anderson. Vasilevskiy, however, completed his move in time and made the save.
The Lightning took the lead to 3-0 with 4:00 left in the second period. Even though he was surrounded by four Canadiens players, Point mocked them and beat Allen over the left shoulder.
Caufield tried to reply before the end of the second period. His shot from an outnumbered attack hit the post to Vasilevskiy’s left.
The Lightning didn’t let the Canadian half open the door in the third period, as Hagel widened the gap to 4-0 following 8:31 of play.
Allen was left on his own a bit followingwards and he pulled off another spectacular save once morest Hagel.
Guhle saved the Canadian’s honor by beating Vasilevskiy with 2:39 to go.
Locker Room Echoes
Nick Suzuki underlined the good work of the Canadiens’ defensive brigade, despite the presence of five rookies.
“It was not an easy task. We were up once morest one of the best teams in the league. They did their best and we know it. It’s up to the attackers to come and help them as best they can. »
Kaiden Guhle paid tribute to the Lightning.
“It’s not a game where they dominated, but even in a game like this they were good from start to finish. They know no downturns and they profit from your mistakes. That’s what a good team will succeed in doing. »
