Tampa Bay Lightning Headed To Game 6 After Deflating Loss

152. 1. 23. Final. 2

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up speed in the third period, but it simply wasn’t enough to overcome the Montreal Canadiens and close the series.

The Tampa Bay Lightning simply couldn’t find their legs tonight, and despite a surge in the third period, a lack of puck possession and ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone leads to the Lightning falling 2-1 to the Montreal Canadiens and sending the series back to the Amalie Arena on Tuesday night.

This has been a tough couple of games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but a lack of offensive production and a temporary breakdown on the blue line has caused the Lightning to drop two games in a row to the Canadiens. This may seem like a lot of doom and gloom, which to some degree it was, but the Lightning now have a second opportunity to finish this series off in front of their fans right here in Hockey Paradise.

Tonight’s action kicked off much like any game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens; with a penalty. Both Jeff Petry and Tyler Johnson would be headed off just 16 seconds into the first period; Petry for Hooking and Johnson for Embellishment.

On the bright side, at least the refs learned that you can’t exactly call Tripping and Diving in the same call.

In the early moments of the period, it is quite apparent that the Tampa Bay Lightning came into this game ready to play. They seem to be playing with much more aggression, really making Carey Price work in the opening minutes. In the first six minutes, the Lightning spent a majority of it in the Montreal zone.

Unfortunately, the momentum was cut short when a turnover became a costly mistake that allowed the Montreal Canadiens to crash the net and allow Canadiens right wing Devante Smith-Pelly to get the Canadiens on the board first.

Despite the momentary lack of good judgment, the Tampa Bay Lightning still looked better in the first period tonight than they did the entire game in Game 4. Unfortunately, their efforts had not yet translated to the scoreboard and when the buzzer sounded to end the period, the Lightning would be down 1-0.

Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper, who started out Lightning captain Steven Stamkos on the wing instead of at center, decided to send Stamkos back to center in the second period. It would seem as if he was only momentarily shaking things up because a few moments later, Filppula would rejoin the line and Stamkos would go back to wing.

Unfortunately, the break in momentum would continue into the second period. Seven minutes would tick off the clock in the second period and the Tampa Bay Lightning would still find themselves without a shot on goal. While there is no denying we have always been a proponent of quality over quantity, you fail to score on 100% of the shots you don’t take.

We never thought we would say this, especially considering that the Tampa Bay Lightning was the top scoring team last season, but the lack of production from the offense has been stifling in the past couple of games. Whether the Canadiens fans are finally starting to get under their skin or the Canadiens defense has just learned how to beat our system, the Lightning need to find their center and get back on the offensive.

It may have taken 49:27 seconds, but the Tampa Bay Lightning finally found their way to the scoreboard. It was Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos who would fire off a wrist shot that would find its way past Price and into the back of the net.

The Bolts Nation would sit on the edge of their seats waiting for the other foot to drop and the Lightning to take the lead for the first time this game, but unfortunately it was the Canadiens who would drop the other foot first. With just around 4 minutes left to play in the game P.K. Subban fires the puck to PA Parenteau to give the Canadiens the lead once again.

The Lightning would battle in the final moments of the third period with a fiery passion they seemed to lack the entire game, but unfortunately it ended up to be too little, too late. The Montreal Canadiens would force a Game 6 with a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Before anyone goes off the deep end, allow us to remind you of one simple fact. The Tampa Bay Lightning is the only team in the National Hockey League to not lose more than two games in a row. Tonight is that second game, which means if things stay the course, the Tampa Bay Lightning should have Game 6 in the bag.

If they are going to accomplish this, there are still plenty of loose ends that the Lightning will need to cut off when they head back into the Bolts Nation. The good news is, when the Lightning come charging back into the Amalie Arena, they will have their Thunder behind them.

We all heard the Habs fans tonight at the Bell Centre. They cheered loud and proud for their Canadiens tonight. We need to make sure that the Thunder continues to roll when the Lightning charge back into the Amalie Arena. This game could be a turning point in the post season life of the Tampa Bay Lightning and we need to channel our inner fire and make like Sticks of Fire and make the building tremble.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will take the ice to face the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 on Tuesday, May 12^th at a time that has yet to be announced. The question we pose to you now is, are you ready to scream loud and proud and help our Tampa Bay Lightning close out this series once and for all? We know we are!

Next: The Night The Tampa Bay Lightning Grew Up

More from Bolts by the Bay

Home/Lightning News