Key takeaways:
- Jake Allen makes 37 saves for Montreal in a 5-4 win.
- Teammates congratulate canadiens’ Nick Suzuki after netting in the shootout to provide Montreal a 5-4 victory over the Lightning on Saturday evening in Tampa, Fla.
Nick Suzuki netted in the shootout, and the Montreal Canadiens defeated hosts Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 on Saturday night.
In the third round, Suzuki defeated Brian Elliott on a nifty backhander as Montreal won for the fourth time in 13 matches (4-5-4).
Cole Caufield, Corey Schueneman, Josh Anderson, and Jesse Ylonen scored in law for Montreal, and Jake Allen stopped 37 attempts.
“We talk regarding being process-driven, not so much result-driven, and I think the outcome will just come along,” Canadiens interim coach Martin St. Louis said. “Just concentrate on the process, and I think we’ve done a good job tonight.”
Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists, and Steven Stamkos, Anthony Cirelli, and Brayden Point also netted for the Lightning. Elliott made 27 blocks as the two-time defending Stanley Cup winners had a four-game winning streak end.
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“Mentally, many horrible mental mistakes,” said Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper. “We’ve got to battle through that, It’s a difficult league, and anybody can beat anybody.”
Ylonen weaved it at four from the left circle at 2:18 of the third.
After Stamkos opened the scoring 8:57 into the match, Cirelli drove it 2-0 at 13:32 of the first with a short-handed goal. The Canadiens allowed the 10th short-handed score, who have the NHL’s second-worst power play. The squads then mixed for seven goals over the last 11:03 of the second period.
Caufield netted during a 2-on-none at 8:57, but Kucherov’s power-play goal made it 3-1 with 8:26 to go in the time.
It was Kucherov’s second goal in his previous 16 matches, but the right-wing has 15 assists over the stretch.
Source – cbc.ca
