Goal scoring returns, losing streak concludes in a blowout at the Bell Centre

After being shutout for two consecutive games the goals were a plenty helping end the four-game losing streak and re-ignite the team in the process. Jake Guentzel would net his 600th career point and Jonas Johansson answered the call for a second consecutive night in a much-needed victory.

The sweet sound of scoring a goal

Lightning executed the puck poorly in front of their net which nearly gave Montreal the early lead. For the first time in two games Tampa Bay finally scores a goal. Brayden Point had a breakaway and made sure he didn't waste the chance to score. Jakob Dobes had no chance to save Point's shot which gave the Bolts the 1-0 lead. Afterwards, Pontus Holmberg is called for interference and that would not be the only penalty called on the play. Max Crozier and Brendan Gallagher both were sent off for roughing and the league's best penalty kill went up against the fourth best power play in the league. Penalty was killed off, Holmberg rushed out of the box, nabbed the puck, and scored to extend the lead 2-0. Montreal was caught sleeping and Tampa Bay showed no remorse for the costly mistake.

Scoring goals no longer an issue

After how the last couple games went it was no surprise the Lightning played with a bit of anger to start the game. Scoring two goals was important not just for momentum, but for everyone to re-gain confidence and strive for winning ways again. Holmberg nearly scored his second goal with an open net in front of him but instead the puck rung off the post and away from the net. Despite Montreal's best efforts they could not find a puck past Johansson who remained sharp in net. Goals suddenly became second nature for the Lightning as Crozier fed Kucherov who then scored his 13^th of the season to make it 3-0 late in the period. That goal silenced the crowd, but the Canadiens drew a cross-checking penalty as the period ended.

Goalie swap for Montreal

Beginning of the second period saw a goalie change for the Canadiens as Dobs was replaced with Sam Montembeault. Another successful penalty kill for the Bolts but Montreal had their best chances to score on that power play. Instead, Tampa kept the goals coming with Charlie-Edouard D'Astous alone in front of the net to bury the puck and make it a 4-0 game. Unfortunately, Victor Hedman was still nowhere to be found on the bench, and it seemed he would miss the rest of the game. With 15:14 to go Kucherov is called for tripping giving Montreal their third power play while Tampa has yet to go on the man advantage. Once again, the Habs leave empty handed on the power play and the score remained 4-0.

Shutout was not meant to be

While the score was 4-0 it was Montreal who were executing their plays better and applying more pressure. Finally, the Bolts would get their first chance on the power play with Arber Xhekaj sent off for interference at the 12:33 mark. Both teams could not get anything going on the power play as the score remained the same with five minutes left in the period. Much like the Bolts the past couple of games the Canadiens were having terrible puck luck and still could not score a goal until a late power play gave them the opportunity they were looking for. Oliver Kapanen gave Montreal their first goal of the night on the power play and the score was now 4-1 heading into the third period.

Offense from defense

As expected, Hedman was ruled out for the remainder of the game after missing the entire second period. Defense has been playing well in his absence and that continued tonight. Darren Raddysh extended the lead 5-1 with a crazy angle goal that had to be reviewed due to how quick it went in and out of the net. On a faceoff Curtis Douglas is tripped and Lightning go on the power play for a second time tonight. Power play has not been a strong suit for the Bolts this year as they rank 26^th on the man advantage this season.

Touchdown Tampa Bay

Nothing to show for on that power play and a couple minutes later Tampa Bay would be on the power play yet again. Raddysh wasted no time to score his second of the night as he fired the puck off the face-off to extend the lead 6 -1. Amazing how a team can go from being shutout two games in a row to then scoring half a dozen goals ending a drought in the best way possible. Remainder of the period was quiet until Scott Sabourin and Josh Anderson dropped the gloves. Some entertainment for the remainder of fans that were still watching at the Bell Centre. In the final minutes tempers rose and saw Emil Lilleberg and Jared Davidson sent off for rouging.

End of the streak and onto New Jersey

All in all, not only would the Lightning finally find the back of the net again, but they would also end their losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Team will travel to New Jersey to face the Devils Thursday night and continue to pile on the goals. Hopefully an update on Andrei Vasilevskiy will surface prior to Thursday.

Three stars of the night

1st star: Darren Raddysh - 2 goals

2nd star: Jonas Johansson - Stopped 26 of 27 shots faced

3rd star: Nikita Kucherov - 1 goal and 1 assist