The Lightning have been surging up the standings and that did not change in the last game before the break in Montreal. Prior to puck drop Nikita Kucherov was scratched and listed as day-to-day. For Zemgus Girgensons this game would end up being one that ended in smiles as he finally found his name on the scoring sheet after a long drought. Team was tested these last four games, but they answered the call perfectly and the standings reflected that. Not only did they win four in a row, more importantly all the wins were in regulation and now sit two points behind Toronto in the standings.
No Kucherov, no problem
To begin, Montreal began the game with the better pace and obtaining the first couple of shots on net. Then, two penalties would be called resulting in 4-on-4 for a couple minutes. Patrick Laine was sent off for holding the tick and Darren Raddysh was called for hooking. It was a quiet 4-on-4, and the game remained scoreless with Tampa Bay still not registering a shot on goal. For now, that was not a concern as no dangerous chances occurred. Soon after, the first shot on net for the Bolts resulted in the first goal of the game. Nick Paul took advantage of a turnover by Juraj Slafkovsky and fired the puck past Jakub Dobes for his 16th of the season. After the goal Lightning were more aggressive offensively generating more chances than earlier in the game.
10/10, no notes 👏 pic.twitter.com/X3zhNg7w3S
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 9, 2025
Scoring and saving
Montreal nearly scored after a mistake by Anthony Cirelli, but Vasilevskiy was able to make the save. Immediately after, Victor Hedman retrieved the puck and started a rush the other way. On said rush Hedman scores and extends the lead 2-0. Once again. Canadiens looked to score but Emil Lilleberg made a great defensive play to keep the puck out yet not cleared out of the zone. On the same sequence Vasy made another great save to keep the game 2-0 and gave Lilleberg a tap on the head for making that save.
Lilly 🤝 Vasy pic.twitter.com/PYFxXHgKQh
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 9, 2025
Canadiens answer back
Montreal continued the aggression and were heavily outshooting the Lightning. Next, on a breakaway Josh Anderson is hooked from behind and is awarded a penalty shot. His shot went high, and the score still remained 2-0. Raddysh would surrender a high-sticking penalty giving Montreal a power play with 2:56 to go in the period. On the power play Brendan Gallagher scores to cut the lead 2-1. With less than a minute to go in the period Lightning would get their turn on the power play looking to re-gain the two-goal lead. The power play would carry over into the second period with the score 2-1 Tampa Bay.
Forcing a goalie change
Second period began with 1:22 left on the power play for Tampa Bay. Montreal was initially called for delay of game but after review, the puck went off of Cirelli’s stick and then out of play. Regardless, Lightning ended up scoring on the power play with Brayden Point scoring his 31st of the season to extend the lead 3-1. Afterwards, the Canadiens made a goalie change replacing Dobes with Sam Montembeault. Tampa continued to be surging and looked to keep the crucial winning streak going heading into the break. Not once but twice Anderson was stopped by Vasy keeping the two-goal lead intact. For the most part Tampa’s defense have been able to recover after giving the Habs room up the ice, but this had to occur less to preserve the lead.
Mr. Power Play 😤 pic.twitter.com/OyegTCn1p0
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 9, 2025
Smiles all around
Ever since joning the Tampa Bay Lightning, Girgensons has yet to score a goal. That ended today with smiles all across the bench after his goal extended the lead 4-1. Both teams are coming off playing the night before but is was clear Tampa was the team hungrier for the win. However, Christian Devorak would give some life to the home team after his goal makes it a two-goal lead again. Score was now 4-2 with just over six minutes to go in the second. As the period was winding down Montreal continued their push in hopes of getting within one goal of the Lightning. Many of their shots were redirected and allowed Tampa to move it out of their zone. Both teams were surging in that period, and it seemed that would continue with the third period on deck.
First as a Bolt ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/WjHpHrSYKT
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 9, 2025
Getting closer than it should be
Third period began with Montreal netting the first shot on net. They were desperate for a goal and will do anything to score one as seen with how they were surging on the ice. They would get a chance to do that after Luke Glendening is sent off for tripping. Right went the power play began a shot went off the pipe but did not go in. Other than the first moments of the power play the Canadiens did not do much on the man advantage. Seemed like they were still on the power play though with how aggressive they were offensively. After, the game began to cool down with half the period gone by and the other half remaining.
A well-deserved extended break
The cooldown did not last after Gallagher scored his second of the game to make it a 4-3 game. Lightning continued to struggle with clearing the puck and that allowed the goal to be scored. Momentum was now on Montreal’s side as they were a goal away from tying the game. Habs continued to be surging up and down the ice but still could not get another past Vasilevskiy. Girgensons almost scored his second of the game on a breakaway but ran out of room to get the shot off. With 1:46 left to go, Canadiens pull the goaltender to get the extra attacker on. After making a defensive play Cirelli would go on to score on the empty net and seal the deal. Lightning went on to win 5-3 and head into the break on a surging four-game winning streak.
Three stars of the game
1st Star: Victor Hedman – 1 goal, 1 assist, 6 blocks
2nd Star: Brendan Gallagher – 2 goals
3rd Star: Andrei Vasilevskiy – Saved 32 of 35 shots faced
4 Nations Face-Off
Not everyone on the team will have off the next couple of weeks. Cirelli, Hagel, and Point will represent Team Canada who will be coached by Jon Cooper. Julien BriseBois will also serve as an assistant GM for Team Canada. Victor Hedman will captain Team Sweden, and Jake Guentzel will represent Team USA. The tournament begins this Wednesday, February 12th and runs until February 20th.
