Careless plays lead to another overtime loss in Game Three

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

By Robert Hazou | Thunderstruck Sports

A handful of careless plays prevented the Lightning from taking charge in Game 3 and would ultimately fall short in overtime to let Montreal take the 2-1 series lead. Brayden Point would finally find the back of the net and Hagel continued to be a threat, but it was not enough to come away with the victory in Montreal. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the only reason why Tampa Bay had a chance, but their lack of awareness is what allowed the Canadiens to take over.

Canadiens score first

To nobody's surprise the Bell Centre was full of energy and let their voices be heard. This is never an easy building to play in and tonight would be no different. Early on the hits were piling on without any penalties being called. Off the rush Alexandre Texier scored to give the Canadiens a 1-0 lead. Lightning would not register their first shots on goal until six minutes passed by but would also have the first power play of the night with Jakub Dobes called for tripping. So far Tampa was 2 for 8 on the man advantage and they had to improve if they want to take command of the series. Thankfully, Brayden Point ended his dry spell and tied the game up with a goal on the power play. It was a much-needed goal for Point who has been unusually quiet to start the playoffs. Then, Tampa Bay went on the power play again with Kirby Dach called for tripping.

Point finally scores

This time the penalty was killed off with the score remaining 1-1 with 9:43 to go in the period. With eight minutes to go Nikita Kucherov is called for tripping and the Habs received their first power play of the night. However, Tampa successfully killed off the Kucherov penalty, and the score still remains 1-1. Penalties continued to pile up with the Lightning going on the power play again late in the period. Bolts would have 1:11 left on the power play to start the second period with the first period ending with a 1-1 score.

Hagel continues to annoy Montreal

Lightning had to clean up their puck possession though as Montreal continued to nearly make them pay for turning over the puck again and again. Next, Tampa would go on their fourth power play of the night with half the period remaining. Just when the power play woes seem to be over, they never left and would continue to plague Tampa Bay. Kirby Dach eventually tied the game 2-2 and re-ignited the home crowd. They would get a power play after Hagel is called for holding the stick. Tampa killed off the penalty keeping it a 2-2 game but had to immediately go back on the penalty kill. Team continued to be careless and still have not learned their lessons from the first two games. Yet another careless penalty on Tampa was called and the Habs would have 1:30 on the power play to start the third.

Speed halts Tampa Bay

Yet another penalty was killed off but the Bolts had to stop being careless with their play on ice. Cole Caufield nearly gave Montreal the lead, but Andrei Vasilevskiy was able to make the save and keep the game tied. At this point in the game Montreal was heavily outshooting the Lightning 24 to 14 and had plenty of speed to catch Tampa Bay off guard. Lightning really has to get the offense in full throttle if they want to take Game 3. With 11:10 to go, Tampa would have a prime opportunity to take the lead on the power play. Bolts fall flat on that power play and nearly give up a goal to Josh Anderson after it expired.

Hello overtime we meet again

If it were not for Vasy this game would be out of control and Montreal would be on their way to a win at home. Entire team needed to wake up and have the same energy they did in overtime of Game 2. Jake Guentzel nearly gave the Bolts the lead, but the puck went on the outside of the post away from Dobes. A scrum ensued after Dobes covered the puck that saw Phillip Danault, Zemgus Girgensons, Arber Xhekaj, and Emil Lilleberg sent off for roughing. For a third straight game the game would head to overtime.

No awareness lets Montreal take advantage

There would not be an encore of Game 2's overtime and Lane Hutson scored a couple minutes into overtime to win the game for Montreal 3-2. Everyone was too focused on being in front of the net and that allowed Hutson to be wide open for the pass and blast the puck top shelf for the game winner. Canadiens take a 2-1 series lead with the win, and it was back to the drawing board for the Lightning. Game 4 is Sunday night in Montreal.

Three Stars of the Game

1st star: Lane Hutson - 1 goal

2nd star: Kirby Dach - 1 goal and 1 assist

3rd star: Brandon Hagel - 1 goal