Habs Take Game One in Overtime

Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports

Round one, game one between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning would take overtime to decide. The Lightning continued their struggles with playoff overtime, losing their 12th of their last 13 overtime contests. Game one goes to Montreal, and they lead this best-of-seven series one game to none.

Graphic Credit: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

Game One, Period One

In the last few weeks of the regular season, the Bolts had a problem. They kept getting off to slow starts and having to fight back to get into games. In these playoffs, they want to be sure to start on time and play a full 60 minutes. In game one tonight, the Bolts actually did a good job of starting on time. In fact, they got the first four shots of the game and put sustained pressure on the Canadiens. Unfortunately, success is not measured in shot totals, and Montreal found a way to score the first goal. Josh Anderson opened the scoring for this series at 13:24. The Lightning pressed back, but could not beat Dobes. After twenty minutes, the Bolts had a 9-4 shot advantage but trailed 1-0 where it counted.

Quick Strikes in Period Two

The Lightning's power play struggles continued through the early part of this game. They really needed to break through. Early in the second, it looked as though Montreal had doubled their lead, and it was Josh Anderson again. However, the goal was reviewed for a high stick, and the goal came off the board. Seconds later, Josh Anderson found himself in the penalty box. And on their fourth power play opportunity of the night, the Lightning finally got their much-awaited breakthrough. After several attempts, Tampa Bay's favorite bald eagle blasted his famous shot past Jakub Dobes to tie the game at 1-1.

And the Lightning were not done yet. Just 29 seconds later, they would take their first lead of the series. They continued to apply pressure, and Brandon Hagel finally tucked it home to make it 2-1.

For about 19 minutes of the second period, the Lightning held the Canadiens to just one shot on goal. With a minute and a half to go, Conor Geekie took a needless penalty. The Montreal power play was like a clinic. They tied the game up before the end of the period when Juraj Slafkovsky had an open net in front of him.

Last (Regulation) Period of Game One

After the Habs had looked so good on their power play to end the second period, it was clear that the Lightning really needed to stay out of the penalty box. Easier said than done. At 4:20, Anthony Cirelli took a penalty. Just over a minute and a half into that one, Juraj Slafkovsky scored his second power play goal of the game to give Montreal the lead back.

Moments later, the Bolts got another power play. Hagel tallied his second goal of the game to tie it up once again. Guentzel got his third assist of the night, and Kucherov got his second.

Another Playoff Overtime Loss

The Lightning had lost 11 of their last 12 playoff overtime games, so it did not bode well for them tonight... especially since they would have to start it off by killing off a dangerous Montreal power play. They almost managed to kill it off, but Montreal scored on their first overtime shot just 1:22 in.

Montreal takes game one by a 4-3 final.

Three Stars

1. Juraj Slafkovsky-- 3 power play goals for the hat trick

2. Brandon Hagel-- 2 goals

3. Nick Suzuki-- 2 assists

Up Next

These two teams go back at it Tuesday night for game 2 at 7 pm.