Last night the Tampa Bay Lightning inducted their first three members of the Lightning Hall of Fame, tonight they face off against one of them. Former Bolt Martin St Louis is now the bench boss for the Montreal Canadiens. His team hasn’t played so well lately. They lost Thursday night to the Florida Panthers 9-5 after being outscored in the first period 7-3. The Lightning haven’t been fairing to weel lately either. The Bolts have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 games.
While the Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled away from the confines of Amalie Arena1 7-16-1, they are almost unstoppable at home 24-6-5. So clearly the Bolts love being in front of their own fans, which will be very important in the playoffs. They hope with all the alumni in town this weekend for the Hall of Fame they can send the former players home with a win.
Still a bit weird..
Although he hasn’t been on the bench for the Tampa Bay Lightning in quite a few years, it’s still so weird to see Martin St Louis as the Head Coach of the Montreal Canadiens. St Louis was a stapple of this franchise becoming a legitimate contender in the NHL, helping the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2004.
Canadiens first on the board
It didn’t take the Montreal Canadiens long to get one past Brian Elliott. With barely five minutes gone in the first Mike Hoffman got a shot past the Lightning netminder for a 1-0 lead. Nick Suzuki and former Bolt David Savard both assisted on the game opening goal. Almost six minutes later Victor Hedman all alone in the slot would fire a shot past Sam Montembeault to tie the game 1-1. While both teams had their opportunities the score would remain 1-1 at the end of the first 20 minutes.
Alumni Hall of Fame Weekend
All weekend long with the First ever Hallf of Fame ceremony on Friday night, a lot of Lightning alumni were in town. The players here ranged from all different generations of this team. Watching some of these guys who may have never interacted before was great. This weekend truly shows why guys love playing in Tampa, and its not just for the team.
The Hagel continues to roll
As te game neared the midway point, the Lightning were threatening in the Montreal zone. After a rebound comes right to him Brandon Hagel buried the puck behind Montembeault for his 25th goal of the season. Moments later though Montreal would tie the game back up. Denis Gurianov would be credited with the goal. Just about six minutes later Jesse Ylonen would put Montreal back in the lead.
The Captain strikes
Barely three miuntes into the 3rd period, down one goal and on the power play the Lightning captain came through from his office. After Michael Pezzeta took down Mikhail Sergachev in front of Elliott, Pezzeta would head to the sin bin to serve two minute for interference. Stamkos would go to his favorite spot and tie the game 3-3. Hagel would not be denied for his second of the night and new career high in goals to give the Bolts a 4-3 lead. Hagel would put the nail in the Canadiens coffin with less than a minute in the game. Hagel slides the puck up the ice into the empty net to give the Bolts a two goal lead 5-3 with less than a minute.
Three Stars of the Game
3rd Star – Nikita Kucherov: Two assists in the game.
2nd Star – Steven Stamkos: A PP goal to tie the game in the 3rd.
1st Star – Brandon Hagel: Hat Trick
Up Next
At home tomorrow night vs the NJ Devils. It’ll be the third meeting between the teams in the last seven days.
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