Momentum shifts throughout the game along with a costly mistake hand the Lightning their second consecutive loss on the Canadian road trip. Whenever it seemed Tampa had momentum quickly shifted and vice-versa. Both goalies would play well to contain the other team’s offense but one would later steal the show. This was a crucial divisional game and unfortunately ended the worst way possible. For most of the night Tampa did not play terrible until the final minutes of the third period arrived. Offense was doing all they could, but Sam Montembeault played his heart out and was a key factor in the Canadiens win at home.
Better start than normal
Beginning of this game had to be cleaner for Tampa or else it will be another rough night on the ice. Offense attacked early but it was Montreal who nearly scored in the opening minutes. A shot went off the post with no chance for a rebound. Other than the one shot, Lightning were skating better and had more possession than the Canadiens. Then, Kirby Dach nearly opened the scoring, but Andrei Vasilevskiy was able to make the save. Afterwards, Cole Caufield was left alone on a turnover but could not get the puck past Vasy. Montreal continued to get their quality chances with half the period to go yet could not find an answer However, Tampa would get the first power play of the game and a great chance to strike first. Power play came with 11:03 left in the period and saw an Anthony Cirelli shot go off the post. That would be the only chance on a poorly executed power play.
Scoring but struggling on the power play
As a result, Bolts came up empty handed, and the game once again remained scoreless. With the way both teams were playing a goal had to be coming sooner or later. Next, Montreal would lose track of a bouncing puck and Tampa cashed in on the mistake. Anthony Cirelli passed the puck to Nikita Kucherov who scored his 22nd of the season. Bolts took the 1-0 lead and shortly after would get their second chance on the power play. Once again, Lightning struggled early on the power play but did get a good look on net anyway. Penalty would expire with Tampa coming up empty handed, and the score remained 1-0. Unfortunately, Lightning surrendered a penalty in the final two minutes giving the Canadiens their first power play. However, with five seconds left Lightning received their third power play of the night.
Can't stop. Won't stop. pic.twitter.com/SoL6WHcbxT
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 22, 2025
Momentum swings
Starting off, 4-on-4 would be played for 12 seconds before Tampa’s power play begins. Same story on the power play and Lightning are now 0-3 on the man advantage. Regardless, Lightning would soon add to their lead. Jake Guentzel attempted a wraparound that went past Montembeault to extend the lead 2-0. Minutes later Montreal would go on the power play and cut the lead in the process. Juraj Slafkovsky fired a puck that Vasilevksiy should have saved to get the Canadiens on the board and make it a 2-1 game. Following the goal, Montreal continued to gain momentum and generate more chances that Tampa could not contain. As a result, Alex Newhook scored to tie the game 2-2 and take away the momentum from the Lightning.
Guentzel finishes the deal 🤝 pic.twitter.com/BSGbHN8GAi
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 22, 2025
Still cannot get anything going on the man advantage
Up until that point Lightning were playing well and controlling the game for the most part. A few mishaps changed everything, and momentum shifted to the home team. When you start to be more careless with the puck that allows the opposing team to crawl back into the game. Thankfully, Lightning went on the power play with over six minutes left in the period in hopes of finally scoring on the man advantage. As expected, penalty expired without Tampa scoring and the score remained 2-2. Clearly, the power play was not Tampa’s friend tonight when they are normally a dangerous team. As the period went on, momentum began to die down, but Tampa controlled the puck better, Period ended with the score remaining 2-2.
Running into a goalie at their finest
To begin, both teams exchanged quality chances that did not end up being goals. Tampa struggled to get loose pucks yet generated better scoring chances in the opening minutes of the period. On the other end, Montembeault was playing lights out and is the reason why the game is still tied. No matter how hard the Lightning tried, they could not score the go-ahead goal, nor would they give Montreal a chance to do the same. With half the period gone by not much has changed and no momentum shifts were seen. Since 7:21 in the second period a goal has not been scored. Both teams would like to change that, but the question is what team will do just that.
A mistake that causes the heartbreaker
As the minutes went on it seemed overtime was going to be needed to declare a winner. In a game where many momentum shifts occurred, the third period was vastly quiet as neither team wanted to make a costly mistake. That could be the difference between winning the game or letting it slip away. With minutes to go in regulation, the Lightning offense ignited and began to pound the net with shots. Somehow, Montembeault saved everything thrown at him and is the reason why this game is still tied. On an odd man rush Montreal had the chance they have waited all night for. Jake Evans scores to give Montreal the lead with 2:15 to go and Lightning pull Vasy shortly after to get the extra man on. Ultimately, that one mistake cost the Lightning big time and Montreal comes away with the 3-2 victory. Lightning will have time to regroup before heading to Chicago for a Friday night showdown.
Three stars of the game
1st Star: Sam Montembault – Saved 33 of 35 shots faced
2nd Star: Jake Evans – 1 goal (game-winning goal)
3rd Star: Nikita Kucherov – 1 goal
