Tampa Bay Lightning Down Canadiens In Double OT Thriller

Final. 1. 152. 2. 23

The Tampa Bay Lightning take the early lead in the series as they defeat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in a Double Overtime thriller.

Fresh off of their exciting Game 7 win at the Amalie Arena on Wednesday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning kicked off the first game in Round 2 against the Montreal Canadiens with a bang as they defeated the Habs 2-1 in a Double Overtime thriller.

We always knew that this game was not going to be a walk in the park, but we never imagined that the opening battle in Round 2 against the Montreal Canadiens was going to go down like this one. It has been quite some time since the Tampa Bay Lightning saw a Double Overtime.

If you were one of the many who was watching the game live, you know all-too-well that by the time the second overtime kicked off, the Lightning were definitely feeling the effects of the lack of time off in between Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings and Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens.

Before we can have an ending we must have a beginning, so let’s take a trip back to where this incredibly long evening started and take another look at tonight’s game.

Both the Lightning and the Canadiens hit the ice with a fiery passion in the first period. If nothing else, you could say both teams skated with purpose and put their best skates forward. The one advantage the Canadiens seemed to have is the amount of pressure they created in front of the Lightning net.

As the period went on, it almost seemed as if the Lightning were allowing the Canadiens to control the pace of the game. Not only is this not the Tampa Bay Lightning that we have been watching all season long, but a pattern in which they can’t continue if they want to come out of this series on top.

Both sides would try to make something happen, but through 20 minutes of play neither team would be able to secure an early lead.

There is one moment that more than deserves a mention in the first period, and that is a spectacular save made by Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Ben Bishop.

The puck came dangerously close to crossing the goal line as Brendan Gallagher made his way towards the Lightning net, but with his quick thinking and reflexes, Bishop is able to use his toe pad to prevent the puck from crossing and giving the Habs the early lead.

In the beginning of the period, it was the Montreal Canadiens who seemed to dictate the pace, but when the final buzzer sounded it would be the Tampa Bay Lightning who would outshoot the Canadiens 12-10. Unfortunately for the Lightning, the faceoff circle belonged to the Canadiens.

The second period was a lot of the same from the first. The difference in this one is that the Canadiens have got back on top in the realm of Shots on Goal. The Canadiens outshot the Lightning 12-7 in the second. They definitely put the pressure on, but neither team was able to capitalize.

Speaking of capitalizing, in comparison to the First Round Series against Detroit, this game has been incredibly calm in terms of penalties. Throughout the first two periods there were only 10 minutes in penalties called; 4 to the Lightning and 6 to the Canadiens.

The third period finally saw the change of pace that the Tampa Bay Lightning were so desperately searching for. Just 2:34 into the period, it would be Tyler Johnson – who was conveniently positioned right in front of the Canadiens net – was able to get his stick on a shot from Matt Carle and tip the puck past Carey Price and into the back of the net.

Unfortunately, just a few minutes later Tyler Johnson would see a horrific reversal of fortune. Johnson would find himself down in front of the Lightning net when he attempted to run interference on Brendan Gallagher, he would get dumped to the side of the net.

Under normal circumstances, that would be innocent enough. Unfortunately, after Johnson came tumbling to the ice, Gallagher spun around and purposefully shot the puck directly at a disabled Johnson causing him what were sure was some pretty wicked pain.

Johnson did what he could to make it to the penalty box to serve the questionable call that was made on him prior to the incident, but that’s about all he could take. After he exited the penalty box, Johnson made his way to the Lightning bench. Unfortunately, that was about all Johnson could take and he headed off to the Lightning locker room.

Given the impact that he has had during the post season, this would be a devastating loss for the Tampa Bay Lightning if Johnson were forced to miss any serious time as a result of the incident. Thankfully, the hockey gods smiled on the Lightning this day, and a couple minutes later Lightning fans could finally exhale as Johnson rejoined the team on the ice.

Just under the 15 minute mark in the period, Max Pacioretty would make his way in front of the Lightning net and take the shot on the net. Bishop thought he had the puck under control in his glove, but the puck would ultimately come flying out and into the back of the net to tie the game up for the Canadiens.

Both teams would make a valiant effort to end Game 1 in regulation, but it was simply not meant to be and the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens would need extra time to end this opening battle.

There was a moment early in the overtime period where the Lightning thought they had this game in the bag as Nikita Kucherov found the back of the net with the puck. Unfortunately, his contact with Price caused the goal to be waived off and the play to proceed.

Speaking of running into the goaltender, there was a scary moment just around the halfway point in the overtime period. The Canadiens made a run at the net as Bishop feverishly attempted to keep the puck out of the net. Unfortunately, his efforts ended with him getting crunched in the crease.

Bishop was a little slow to get up, and was seemingly shaken up for quite a bit after he made his way up and between the pipes. Considering the contributions Bishop has made to the Lightning in both the regular and post season, it definitely would not be a good thing if he were to miss any time.

The good thing is that Bishop is a pretty tough player, and after a moment to breathe he seemed ok; at least for now. We say that because it wasn’t very long until Bishop found himself flat on the ice once again. As the clock ticked down on the overtime period, Bishop took a hard shot to the head.

Bishop stayed down on the ice for quite some time and looked like his mind was on another planet for a few minutes after the incident, but Bishop exuded his normal toughness and held strong between the pipes.

Just when you thought this game couldn’t possibly get any more intense, or long for that matter, the buzzer sounded and this game would head to its second overtime period.

The Lightning were tired and worn down, but they still hit the ice for the second overtime period with the same intensity they had when the first puck dropped at shortly after 7:00 p.m. The good news is, the Triplets know you are about to fall off the edge of your couch from sitting on the edge of your seats so they were quick to give Lightning fans a reason to stand up and cheer.

After having his goal waived off in the first overtime period, Nikita Kucherov would fight for the puck in front of the net, wind up, fire the puck up high and put this one to bed for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In just over 2 minutes into the overtime period, the Tampa Bay Lightning would take the early lead in the series.

We have said this before and we’ll say it again, this is going to be an intense series between these two teams. The Tampa Bay Lightning still has something to prove and the Montreal Canadiens want to cleanse their souls of their regular season against the Lightning. Both teams have their work cut out for them. The real winners in this series are going to be the fans.

Next up, the Tampa Bay Lightning will head back into the Bell Centre on Sunday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Montreal Canadiens at 6:00 p.m. Are you ready to Be The Thunder once again?

Next: Detroit Fan Sets Fire to Amalie Arena During Game 7

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