By The First two games of this playoff series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens have delivered exactly what you would expect from these two evenly matched teams.
Both games have gone into OT with the Lightning winning game two 3-2 in OT on a JJ Moser goal at 12:48 of OT to even the series at 1-1.
It was Moser’s first career playoff goal that gave the Lightning the win.
It was also good to see Nikita Kucherov get on the score sheet with his first playoff goal, a goal that tied the game at 2-2.
The fortunes of the Lightning seem to rise and fall with Nikita Kucherov. When Kucherov scores a goal, the Lightning are 38-6 in the playoffs. When he is held scoreless, the Lightning are 51-59.
With his game-tying goal, Kucherov moves into the top 20 list of all-time scorers in the playoffs.
The bigger story on Tuesday Night was not Nikita Kucherov or the JJ Moser goal; it was how the Lightning competed and dominated Montreal throughout OT, holding the Canadiens without a shot in the overtime session.
The Lightning outshot the Canadiens 9-0 in the OT period, showcasing the best eight minutes of hockey we have seen from Tampa Bay in the last two months.
When the game was on the line, the Lightning didn’t wait for the game to come to them; they dictated the pace of play.
The Lightning’s defense neutralized Montreal’s youth and speed and shut down the top line of Slafkovsky, Suzuki, and Caufield.
This was the Tampa team that we have been waiting to see since the playoffs started.
Tampa has played this series without one of its key blueliners, Victor Hedman. Hedman is not likely to return during this series, leaving a gaping hole on the blue line.
As the series shifts to Montreal, the Lightning’s first key to a win is to play with discipline and composure.
Montreal’s power play has dominated the Lightning penalty kill throughout the series with four power-play goals. But the Lightning have the edge against Montreal five on five, so the Lightning must play to their strength and stay out of the penalty box.
Their Game 2 overtime dominance showed that when they control play, Montreal struggles to generate sustained offense.
Game 3 is pivotal in the series. If Montreal wins, they regain control and puts pressure back on Tampa Bay. If the Lightning steals one on the road, the series will tilt in favor of the Lightning.
Brandon Hagel, fresh off a Gordie Howe hat trick, leads both teams in scoring with 2 goals in the series, as Hagel has been the best player on the ice for Tampa.
Tampa will look for continued strong play offensively from Brandon Hagel, Nikita Kucherov, and Anthony Cirelli. But just as important is the play of goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky. He needs to keep playing at a high level.
The key for the Lightning in game 3 hinges on:
-Playing with composure and discipline
-Don’t take stupid penalties.
-Don’t allow odd-man rushes
-Don’t focus on the fancy pass, just shoot the damn puck.
As Nikita Kucherov said after game 2, “They have a hell of a team. When we play our game, we have a good chance to win.”
I think the Lightning will play their game in game three. Not only will they play their game, but win the game, and take control of the series.
