Tampa Bay Will Have to Wait Following 3-2 Game 4 OT Loss

The Montreal Canadiens stayed alive in their Stanley Cup Final series against the Tampa Bay Lightning by defeating the visitors 3-2 in overtime on Monday in Bell Centre. Tampa Bay will get another chance to knock Montreal out of the playoffs in Game 5.

Game Recap

Tampa Bay looked thirsty for the cup to begin the game. The Bolts racked up shots with no response from Montreal, apart from Carey Price. On the other hand, the Canadiens scored on their second shot of the game with 4:21 remaining in the first. In the final four minutes, Montreal and Tampa Bay traded penalties for four on fours. Although four penalties were coinciding, the Lightning had one power play in which they were unable to score. The Bolts led 12-5 in shots after the first, however, the Habs led on the scoreboard 1-0.

The middle frame swayed in Montreal’s direction. The Canadiens controlled the game, but could not capitalize on a power play. Although Tampa Bay was shorthanded, they received two power plays. Once again, the Bolts were shut down. However, Barclay Goodrow tied the game late in the period at one apiece. Similar to the first period, the team with less momentum scored late.

The Lightning started the third period strong, after gaining late momentum in the previous period. Nearly eight minutes into the third period, six players went to the box for a slew of roughing penalties. Shortly after, the team with less momentum struck again. This time it was Montreal’s Alexander Romanov who gave the Habs a 2-1 lead. Five minutes later, Pat Maroon helped Tampa Bay creep back into the game, tying the game at two apiece. With 1:01 left, Shea Weber caught Ondrej Palat with a high-stick that drew blood, causing a four-minute double minor. However, the Canadiens survived the third period and an onslaught of shots to make it to overtime.

Montreal killed off the remainder of the double-minor to stop all five Tampa Bay power-plays in Game 4. Following the penalty kill, Josh Anderson of the Canadiens scored on his back to win the game 3-2 in overtime.

Takeaways/Notes

• Montreal’s first goal ended Tampa Bay’s streak of not trailing in this series at 195:39.
• Barclay Goodrow’s goal now has him with a point in each game this series. This is the longest playoff point streak of his career at four games.
• Pat Maroon scored his first Stanley Cup Final goal in his 17th career Stanley Cup Final game.
• With another overtime loss, the Lightning are 0-4 in overtime in the playoffs this year.

Up Next

Tampa Bay will head home to face Montreal at Amalie Arena on Wednesday, July 7th, at 8:00 PM EST. Can the Bolts get the Stanley Cup for the second-straight year?