Lightning Not Just Trying to Keep Momentum Going, But Instill the Right Mindset Entering Decisive Game 7

The Tampa Bay Lightning play in their first Game 7 since May 2022, as they face the Montreal Canadiens Sunday night at Benchmark International Arena. Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports

By Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens will face off in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference First Round series. As game time approaches, both teams have a clear goal: to advance to the second round. However, there's something more as this heated rivalry comes to a head at Benchmark International Arena:

The Tampa Bay Lightning aim to continue their legacy, while the Montreal Canadiens are looking to begin theirs.

On one side, the Lightning are looking to add another glorious chapter to their storied legacy. On the other, the Canadiens are hungry, aiming to write the very first lines of their own. This game is a clash of eras, of ambitions.

The Lightning are riding high from their Game 6 win Friday night at Montreal's Bell Centre, an overtime win led by a stellar performance by goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy and an amazing, hard-earned goal by forward Gage Goncalves.

The Lightning play their first Game 7 since May 14, 2022, when they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 2-1, in the first round at Scotiabank Arena. Yes, an away game.

Eleven current players were on that 2021-22 roster, including Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and Vasilevskiy.

The last time the Canadiens played a Game 7 was May 31, 2021, when they defeated Toronto, 3-1, in the first round at Scotiabank Arena. Yes, an away game. Six players remain from that 2020-21 roster, including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Brendan Gallagher.

This will be the seventh Game 7 of Nikita Kucherov's career. The NHL's second-highest points scorer has a chance to guide the Tampa Bay Lightning to the second round tonight against the Montreal Canadiens at Benchmark International Arena. Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports

Experience favors the Lightning, and the Bolts hope to ride the wave of momentum from Friday night into Game 7.

However, as Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper has pointed out before, it's not just about momentum; it's about mindset. And Tampa Bay will need the right mindset to overcome the challenges they've faced at home to take the series.

Lightning Mindset Key In Addition to Momentum

When the Lightning returned to Tampa on Monday from their Game 4 win over the Habs the night before, Cooper questioned whether momentum was something that could carry over from one game to the next.

"Momentum? Does it carry? I'm sure there's something there," Cooper said that day. "You have to give yourself as many chances to knock the other team. By doing that, you have to win these odd-number games."

"The momentum thing? This is a mindset thing, man, and we have to have that killer instinct."

The Lightning did not win Game 5 at home following the Game 4 win. They didn't win Game 3 at home, either, following their Game 2 win.

Tonight it's Game 7, following a win in Game 6.

There is no Game 8 or 9. Tonight, it's winner-takes-all. The Lightning need to find that killer instinct out there on the Benchmark International Arena ice to play on to Buffalo.

'This is What We Dream About'

Despite travel issues getting home on Saturday due to the weather, the Lightning are focused on getting the job done Sunday night. They even spent Saturday night at a downtown Tampa hotel to keep the away-game vibe going.

The excitement in the locker room on Sunday morning was very evident as players gathered in preparation for Game 7.

"When you're a kid, pretty much everyone's in the streets, or you're in the bedroom, and it's Game 7 in the playoffs," forward Jake Guentzel said. "This is what we dream about, and I've been fortunate to play in a couple, and there's nothing better, especially at home. It's going to be an electric atmosphere, and we obviously can't wait!"

As loose as the team appeared this morning, the Bolts know the team they're facing is just as good as they are. Montreal is going through the same paces the Lightning are.

The stakes are high, and the tension will build throughout the day.

"I'd say that there's more on the line than a regular game," defenseman JJ Moser said. "Obviously, to perform at your best abilities, you have to keep it as normal as possible for your body, for your mental state, to be comfortable, and to be able to perform great."

Andrei Vasilevskiy has been in four Game 7 matchups, going 2-2 with a .940 save percentage and 1.50 GAA, including a 1-0 against the New York Islanders on June 25, 2021. Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko | Thunderstruck Sports

Montreal is a young team, and their experience has grown throughout the series. However, the Lightning are banking on their experience being the difference-maker in Game 7.

"There's a lot of experience that you've seen throughout the regular season," forward Zemgus Girgensons said. "The comebacks we've had. There's always a belief and trust that we can get it done,"

"We're going to be looking for those moments. Game 7's are fun to be part of," Defenseman Erik Cernak said. "We have to do everything in our power to be on the good side."

 "We know we have to win the game because if not, the season's over. So we're in the same urgency as last game, which is good."

As the Lightning hit the ice for the final game of the series, Tampa Bay must dig deep within themselves and keep that positive mindset first and foremost in their play, from puck drop to the final horn.

"We're not ready to see this season end," Nick Paul, who was here for the last Game 7, said. "We worked way too hard this year. We believe too much in this group. We're going to find a way."