Sorry Tampa Bay. Not this time.
The Canadiens are coming home to Bell Center with the Tampa Bay Lightning in tow. They can thank their previously anaemic offense for exploding at the perfect time to win 6-2 on the road in Game 4. But Montreal still has a pretty steep climb toward the Eastern Conference Finals, trailing the Lightning 3-1 in this series. Can the Canadiens keep hot to further extend their season?
The Rangers’ season is also on the line. Check out the complete preview for the Capitals vs. Rangers Game 5 in another crucial showdown in the East.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens Game 5 Preview
Series Scores and Schedule
Game 1 – Tampa Bay Lightning 2 at Montreal Canadiens 1 (OT)
Game 2 – Tampa Bay Lightning 6 at Montreal Canadiens 2
Game 3 – Montreal Canadiens 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Game 4 – Montreal Canadiens 6 at Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Game 5 – May 9, 7:00 PM ET – Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens – view all NHL lines
Game 6* – May 12, TBD – Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 7* – May 14, TBD – Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens
*If necessary
Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning
That was quite a stumble for the red-hot Lightning. They were outshot 40-24 and had more giveaways (10-to-3) than Montreal in their 6-2 blowout loss in Game 4. Goalie Ben Bishop was chased out of the net after allowing three goals on 14 shots across 25:08 of time on ice.
[sc:NHL240 ]But look for Bishop to look like the impenetrable wall he was in the first two games of the series, allowing just three goals at Montreal along with a sterling .959 save percentage. Bishop is 13-2-2 all-time against the Canadiens, including the playoffs.
It wasn’t just Bishop that held Tampa Bay back. Tyler Johnson, the highest goal-scorer in the playoffs (eight goals), was firing blanks the whole night. He was limited to just one shot on goal in Game 4, but assisted in Ondrej Palat’s power play goal in the third period. Palat assisted in Nikita Kucherov’s power play goal in the second.
Kucherov has been devastating in Tampa Bay’s frontline in this series, scoring all four of his playoff goals against the Canadiens. He had three points (one goal and two assists) in three regular season meetings at Bell Centre.
Tampa Bay needs to keep riding the second line of Johnson, Kucherov and Palat, especially with Steven Stamkos struggling to find his scoring touch in the playoffs. After Stamkos scored a goal in Game 2, he has been held without a shot on goal in Games 3 and 4 against Montreal.
The Lightning have won their last five games at Bell Centre, including the regular season.
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens
Down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals series, it was time for Montreal’s leaders to step up. They responded in a big way. Andrei Markov scored just 2:44 into the opening frame; Max Pacioretty doubled the Canadiens’ advantage with a shorthanded goal about six minutes later; Carey Price saved 22 of 24 shots; and Montreal lived to fight another day.
David Deshrnais, Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry (power play) also scored. Norris Trophy finalist P.K. Subban also had a big night finishing with two assists. Petry’s goal was just their second power play goal of the entire playoffs. They had gone an abysmal 1-for-28 on the man advantage prior to Game 4. Expect Montreal’s power play to continue struggling. Tampa Bay has killed off 19-of-21 penalties in its last six games.
The 6-2 victory should serve as a big confidence booster for the Canadiens, who had lost their eight prior meetings against Tampa Bay while being outscored 31-12. Star winger, Pacioretty, played his best game of the playoffs in Game 4. He should remain a threat with his excellent play on the wings. Aside from his first period goal, Pacioretty had two assists in the contest.
While Descharnais may give up size at 5’7”, he can make up for it with his speed to give Pacioretty some support at center ice. A quick break away from the frontline duo could possibly trick Tampa Bay’s Bishop into committing an error between the pipes.
In order to keep themselves in the game, the Canadiens need another solid effort from Price. But he has lost all five of his home starts against Tampa Bay this season, allowing 3.4 goals per game.
The Canadiens have now won four of their last five elimination games in the playoffs, including last season.
Writer’s Prediction
Price finally looks like the all-world goalie he is and the Canadiens force Game 6 with a tight 2-1 victory.
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[sc:NHL490 ]
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