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Lightning comeback to defeat Habs 4-3 in OT

December 29, 2016, 11:55 AM ET [61 Comments]
Jennifer B Cutler
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Montreal Canadiens played a strong 50 minutes of hockey against the Tampa Bay Lightning but it was not enough as they let a 3-1 lead slip through their fingers, allowing the Lightning to mount a comeback and win the game 4-3 in overtime. Up until the midway point of the third period, the Canadiens were playing a near perfect road game, taking advantage of their opportunities while limiting their opponents. Then it seemed as though the Canadiens were already thinking about tonight’s game against the Florida Panthers and decided to conserve their energy, rather than finish their game strong.

Alexander Radulov opened the scoring in the first period, burying a Paul Byron pass past Andrei Vasilevsky. The Lightning would tie the game up as Tyler Johnson ultimately took advantage of a Shea Weber error. Weber though would atone for his mistake, scoring his goal since November 22nd on the powerplay no less. Chris Terry would give the Canadiens the 3-1 lead early in the second period, finishing off a pretty passing play by Daniel Carr and Michael McCarron. Carey Price was holding the fort down for the Canadiens, making numerous stops including this highlight reel one:




Victor Hedman started the comeback for the Lightning, scoring his seventh goal of the season. He added an assist on Ondrej Palat’s game tying goal, scored on the powerplay with Shea Weber sitting in the penalty box for tripping. Hedman certainly enjoys playing against the Canadiens as he has 23 points in 25 career games which is the most points that he has against any team in the NHL. Johnson would ultimately give the Lightning the 4-3 win as he scored the game winning goal in overtime.

Puck props and flops:

Paul Byron
- With two assists on the night, Byron now has 21 points on the season which ties his career high from the 2013-2014 season with the Calgary Flames. However, this time Byron has done so in just 35 games. All season long people have been waiting for the magic to run out with Byron but he keeps performing and contributing at both ends of the ice. He has supplanted Brendan Gallagher as the team’s sparkplug. If head coach Michel Therrien needs to get a line or player going, he puts Byron with them. And the crazy thing is that it works. Byron was able to get Alexander Radulov and the powerplay back on the scoreboard last night. It is time to stop doubting and waiting for him to fall down. Perhaps Byron really is this good…

Alexander Radulov
- He was demoted from the top line to play alongside Torrey Mitchell and Byron on the second line against the Lightning. If anyone expected Radulov to pout the opposite happened as he looked fresh and rejuvenated after the holiday break. He took advantage of Byron’s hard forecheck and perfect pass to score his first goal in seven games. Radulov had three shots, two blocked shots and a takeaway to complete a strong night.

Daniel Carr/Michael McCarron/Chris Terry
- The Canadiens fourth line put in another strong night by constantly putting pressure on the Lightning and making the most of their limited minutes. Carr is playing his best hockey of the season and it is likely no coincidence that he is doing so by playing alongside of McCarron, a frequent linemate back in St. John’s. His confidence is back up and he is playing like he did in the latter part of the 2015-2016 season which earned him a two year contract. Terry brings NHL experience and a little stability to the line while McCarron is making a very strong case as to why he deserves to stay in the lineup once the Canadiens get healthy again. He also won 83% of his faceoffs against the Lightning.

Flops:

Max Pacioretty/Phillip Danault/Brendan Gallagher
- The newly formed first line had very little success, if any at all against the Lightning. They were on the ice for both of the Lightning’s even strength goals during regulation and failed to create sustained pressure and scoring opportunities. Danault is capable of stepping up for a few games but he is not a first line center, or even a second line center. He had difficulty in the faceoff circle, winning just 27% of his draws. Gallagher had been playing more like his old self before the holiday break but he needs to get the jam back into his game in order to be successful.

Tomas Plekanec
- It is not that he had a terrible game against the Lightning. However, his play was neither here nor there. The Canadiens need Plekanec to dug deep and find another gear. Steady play is not good enough. He needs to do more to create offensive opportunities. Plekanec should easily be the Canadiens top line center without Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais in the lineup. The fact that he has been unable to step up and earn that role is disappointing to say the least, regardless of how much he is being paid.

Other thoughts:

I would have liked to see Nathan Beaulieu stay with Weber on the top pairing, despite Alexei Emelin’s return to the lineup. Emelin has also enjoyed past success with Jeff Petry and compliments him as well. When Beaulieu was with Weber for the two previous games, he was able to help with controlled exits and sustain pressure in the offensive zone. Emelin and Weber do form an intimidating shutdown duo, however Beaulieu adds another dimension. It is better to be on the offense in their opponent's zone than defending and getting hemmed in their own zone…

Zach Redmond has played some steady hockey for the most part in his eight games this season. With four assists in those eight games, perhaps it is time to give him so power play minutes on the second unit. He could certainly do no worse...

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The Canadiens have the opportunity to bounce back this evening as they visit the Florida Panthers. Both teams played Wednesday night so being tired cannot be an excuse for either team. The Panthers mounted their own comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs to win 3-2 in a shootout. The Canadiens will be looking to avenge their previous 4-3 overtime loss to the Panthers back on November 15th. Al Montoya will get the start in net, playing against his former team for the first time this season. Hopefully, the Canadiens will be able to get him his first win since late October. Montoya certainly deserves it…

Puck drops tonight at 7:30pm

Cheers and follow along!
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